Auckland...and Beyond

The Symphony arrived in Auckland a day ahead of schedule because we had been rerouted to avoid the cyclone in Fiji.  This gave us a good opportunity to explore the area and do a little shopping.  There are not many bargains to be had, but the New Zealand dollar is about 80 cents to Canadian, and all their prices include the sales tax of 15 %, so the sticker prices were a bit less shocking than we initially thought.  The downtown is right where the ships come in, and in the next berth, there was the Solstice, the ship we will board in Sydney in a few days. 

On our second day in port, we took the ferry over to Devonport, a quaint little area that seems like it is from the past.  It was full of local crafts and shops that sell fabric, yarn, and even a millinery shop with hat making supplies.  Gail was quite enthralled with this place, and managed to purchase some real New Zealand wool and some lovely soft wool blend.  They even make yarn from opossum fur here!  John enjoyed the many quaint pubs and a taste of local beer.  

Crystal Symphony and Celebrity Solstice in the Auckland Harbour

Auckland by day

Auckland by night

 

After we disembarked from the ship, we took a bus to the airport, where we picked up a rental car and headed south, on the left side of the road.  John managed very well, with only a few almost mishaps on the “wrong side”.  It takes a lot of concentration, as nothing feels natural, and the roads are also more narrow than ours, as well as very twisty, with roundabouts at every intersection.  Lunch was a lamburger at McDonalds on the same day that school let out at noon for the Christmas holidays.  It was quite a contrast to our tranquil lunches on the ship, but delicious. 

Our first point of interest was Hobbiton, the set for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.  After paying a substantial admission charge, we were taken by bus to the Hobbit movie set. It was great fun to wander through the sheep farm that has been transformed, in part, to The Shire.  They have done a beautiful job of the gardens and the set is quite large.  We walked up and down the big hill and  through the ten acre site with a guide.  The sun came out and it was really hot as we discovered picturesque little Hobbit houses at every turn.  The Green Dragon Inn was open and serving a refreshing complimentary beer that was brewed especially for Hobbiton.  

Opening scene of the new Hobbit movie

The Water Mill

John inside the Green Dragon Inn

 

Rotorua was the next destination, where we had a reservation at a resort for two nights.  The thing that first impresses about this place is the smell.  Located very close to a geothermal field, the odour of sulphur is pervasive.  In spite of this, we slept well in a comfortable room.

Today, December 21, is our anniversary, the twenty first!  We spent the day walking around Rotorua, lunch out, and we went to see “The Hobbit: an Unexpected Adventure” at the local theatre.  It was fascinating to see the sets that we visited yesterday, at the beginning of the movie.  It was altogether a delightful day, and we walked everywhere, so John didn’t have to drive on the “wrong “side of the road.

City square, Rotorua

Sulphur flats outside the resort