March 2nd, 2020 Day 58 of 128

Auckland, New Zealand day one of two. This morning we awoke to the voice in the sky (Hamish the cruise director) telling us all the do’s and don’t as the passengers prepared to get off the ship on their adventures for today. Pretty much only prepackaged bottled water allowed off the ship still. Today there is a $400.00 fine if you don’t comply. We grabbed quick breakfast in the Lido and then met our cruise specialist group as our tour today was booked through them. We took a scenic bus ride around central Auckland and the port area near the ship before heading across the New Zealand bridge to Devonport. This area was formed by many volcanoes and as they needed more space for development, they filled in the harbor with volcanic rocks and built it up. We saw so many different types of architecture today, from the modern skyscrapers of Microsoft and Ernst and Young at the harbor to quaint cottages on the North Shore where people used to go to vacation and now live there full time. From the top of Mt. Victoria we could see 360 degree views over the North Peninsula, Davenport and Auckland.   From Davenport we returned across the bay by ferry to Auckland and the ship port which is right next to the ferry station. We all got back on the ship for ship lunch and then mom and I got back off for an evening excursion. We took a ferry ride to Waiheke Island about 40 minutes away. Waiheke Island is home to over 30 wineries. We got to visit two of them, Stonyridge and Batch Winery. We enjoyed wine tasting at both wineries and a very nice family styled dinner at the second winery. It was a relaxing evening and a great way to celebrate life and give a toast to Don on this the fourth anniversary of his passing. The girls got to spend a great evening on the ship with Geoffrey, having dinner in the dining room without us, and having some of Geoffrey’s friends and fellow staff members join them as well. We watched the sunset from the Batch winery, which is the highest elevated winery on the Island, before we headed back to the ferry. As we approached back into Auckland we got to see all the lights of the city from the ferry and most amazingly to me, the ship all lit up. It was our first time off the ship in the evening time and it was a beautiful sight to see. Now it’s into bed for us all. Tomorrow we have a third excursion here in Auckland before we leave this city and head to another port who’s name escapes me right now as I have been drinking wine. LOL. Hoping, hoping, hoping, I can get some photos up for you before we leave here tomorrow. Love and Hugs. Debra