The Last Days.............

Well the last sea days/holiday days!
Next port was dear old Auckland. I woke early - 5.15 am - and sat in the window in our cabin looking out. It was extremely calm and the lights of Orewa, possibly further north, and eventually the North Shore slipped by. Then there was the black blobs of Mount Victoria and North Head. It took a while to get around into the Waitemata but there was Devonport and Stanley Bay. Our cabin is on the starboard side.
The rosary of the Harbour Bridge, with it's glow worm trail of early morning traffic came into view as we turned to dock beside the Hilton. The bridge was an impressive sight. This trip has been one of many and fantastic bridges all around the world. We really don't come close in the numbers over some waterways and the beauty of some of the bridges. It's a bit like tunnels, especially in Italy. We think the odd one is a big deal but some countries have hundreds of them short circuiting arduous trips by hours.
The weather in Auckland was lousy to say the least, cold, wet and damp but most passengers seemed to have enjoyed their day. We spent it with Rodney and Becci at Milford with our gorgeous grandchildren. Went shopping then went to Ben's school where he showed us his classroom. I sort out the painting s and various art works, while he was way more interested in the classroom computers and the games he could play on it. Ship tours in Auckland included Kelly Tarleton's, the War Museum, Muriwai/Piahia, Devonport, Waiheke Island and the Waitomo Caves. All worthy destinations.
Back on board we went to the "Steakhouse" to celebrate Hoppy's birthday. This is a  restaurant on board where you pay a cover charge to get extra fine cuisine and extra large steaks. It did disappoint. The real celebration was with our new cruising family the next evening in the dining room. Lots of fun was had by all! And Hoppy now has a lovely new bow tie for future occasions.
Piahia, Bay of Islands was our next stop. The day was gorgeous and the by tender we eventually got ashore at Waitangi. Last time we were here by ship we tendered onto the wharf at Piahia but it was undergoing some transformation so Waitangi was the wharf of preference. It was quite long enough too, as we seemed to anchor much further out this time. We had a cuppa and some home cooking at the Waitangi Yacht club and added to their room replacement appeal by so doing. Just like home! We caught the free shuttle into Piahia and wandered around a bit. The town looked really good. There was a very nice market there too and I bought a cute, finicky, warm hat. Fun.
Two days at sea. Our last dinner together seasoned with jokes and tears and fond farewells, then Sydney and our final destination!
Anton, my nephew, and Helen and their little boy Aaron, picked us up from the terminal and we spent a lovely day with them wandering around Darling Harbour. I didn't realise it was such a nice centre.
We checked into Wyndham Sydney Suites ready for an early wake-up and the trip back to NZ.