Field Trip! Tuesday, 11/22/16

First thing after breakfast, we met our lecturer, Dr. John Walsby, a wiry human dynamo and walking encyclopedia of botany, geology, vulcanology, history, etc., but technically he has a doctorate in inshore marine biology.  I believe he's about 70 years of age, but he hops around like a 20-year-old as he demonstrates a point he's trying to make!  He has quite a wry sense of humor, too.

Distant Rangitoto Island, in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, is the most recent and the largest of the approximately 50 volcanoes of the Auckland Volcanic Field.

This pair of endemic Variable oystercatchers was a good find for me.

We spied several small jellyfish on the incoming tide, but I disremember what kind John said they were. He picked one up, which means he was braver than the rest of us.

Along with five frigates out in the water, one or two SUP's were spotted near the shore.

Our first stop, and technically unscheduled, was Lake Pupuke.  John wanted to stop at this location because the tide was low and he could show us this heart-shaped lake made from an explosion volcano. We continued on to Takapuna Beach to see the amazing fossilized trees -- not the trunks, mind you -- just where the trees had been snapped at the base by scorching hot lava.  Rings of lava flows can still be seen around the "tree base," as you see above.  Most trees had been on the small side, but we did see what was left of a few big dudes.

Fresh water, from Lake Pupuke was bubbling up where I'm pointing, and flowing into the sea.

Here we are all lined up as we listened to our esteemed lecturer tell us more about the area.  Jimmy and I are somewhere toward the right of the lineup.  The day was ideal -- look how sunny, with nary a cloud in the blue New Zealand sky.  By gum, if you enlarge the photo, you can just see the Frigates; their presence was all part of New Zealand's Navy celebration week.

I was surprised, but I suppose I shouldn't have been, to see Myna birds Downunder.

We spent quite some time wandering this beach, peeking into tide pools, watching sea birds, and really enjoying the warm sunshine.  We piled in the bus (strike that word, it's a "coach" we travel in!) for a great buffet lunch overlooking the water at McHugh's of Cheltenham.  Then?  Back on the coach to continue our exploration.

And this was where we landed this afternoon.

Mary, one of our group, was blown away by this size and beauty of this blossom.

John, telling the group about New Zealand Flax (above), known to the Māori as harakeke, a very important plant to the Māori.  Using the leaf fibers, they made their clothes (textiles), as well as strings, lines, cordage, baskets, mats, and fishing nets.  We've seen some of the work and it is exquisite.  Southern Hemisphere Flax doesn't look a thing like our Northern Flax plant.

We trod across a few of these paths, all the while following agile John, who was always interested in the topic at hand, willing to answer any question with a worthwhile answer.  Of course, one or two of us wandered off when we saw something off the beaten path, but we were always in view of the crew.

This North Head area -- an extinct volcano -- is Auckland's sentinel, and it was an important Māori "pa," or fortified settlement long before these canons appeared.

What a wonderful harbor to sail!  Rangitoto Island in the distance again.

I liked this picture:  Flax sandwiching the 100 ft+ sailboat.

Speaking of sandwiches, we were on our own for dinner this evening.  (BTW, we returned to our hotel sometime around 5 pm -- whew, what a day!)  The consensus on restaurants was The Occidental on Vulcan Street, where almost everyone ordered New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels, including yours truly.  I ordered a half kilo, but a few of the men ordered a full kilo.  Heck, I didn't even know what a kilo was ... but I found out! 

I enjoyed a cup of seafood chowder, too.  This is my dinner, above.  Delicious!

Jimmy wanted the Fish 'n Chips, which he declared to be very good.  See the small round dish with green stuff on his plate?  Mushy Peas, that's what the menu said.  He said, "Bleah!" and wouldn't touch 'em!

And this, truly, is The End of a fun, fascinating, full day.  We walked back to our hotel tired, but happy as clams, er, well, let's just leave it as happy!

Monday afternoon, 11/21/16

After our morning sail, our program had us down for a special lunch today at Eden Garden, an award-winning sanctuary in the heart of Auckland.  Jimmy and I were reminded (on a smaller scale, for sure) of Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, because both were former quarry lands. It's late spring here in New Zealand, and really lovely flowers lined the paths.  Along with NZ plants I didn't recognize, I did see many of the same blooms in this garden that are found in our home state of California.

This looks very much like the Lenten Rose that pops up in my yard in April.

Eden Garden is more than pretty flowers.  With 5.5 acres to roam, we followed several paths that took us past waterfalls, rock formations, and fabulous city and harbour views.  We enjoyed being in this peaceful place.

Aha!  I saw two native New Zealand birds here.  One was the Tui, but getting its photo was nigh onto impossible, hiding as it was high in the treetops.  Tui has a white tuft of feathers at the front of his neck, making him look quite proper, like a butler, perhaps. It has two voice boxes, which gives it quite a range of calls, and it is loud.  The other new bird was the Fantail (above), and I obviously got a great picture of its ... fantail!

Eden Garden was the perfect spot for a yummy lunch ... and looking! 

* * * * * * * * * *

Following lunch, our coach headed to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, for an expert-led visit by a docent named Janet.  She pointed out the wonderful collection of Māori and Polynesian artifacts. Jimmy and I have learned so much about these native people in the few short days we've been in the country. The Māori are, in fact, descendants of Polynesians.  Displays of NZ's natural history and early heritage were also exhibited.

Jimmy, on the steps of the stately War Memorial Museum.  Opened in 1929, the museum is also one of the most iconic Auckland buildings, as you can see above.  It's constructed in the neo-classicist style and sitting on a grassed "plinth" (the remains of a dormant volcano) in Auckland Domain, which is a large public park close to the Auckland.  I was dumbfounded to learn that the Auckland Volcanic Field is an area of about 360 sq km (139 sq mi) and within this field are over 50 +/- separate volcanoes, centered on Auckland city!  Albert, our guide, continues to point out green-grass-covered volcanic "hills," calling them volcanoes. So amazing!  Google it sometime.

Our group entering the museum.

This spectacular stained glass lead light ceiling is directly above the entrance foyer.

This Tui on exhibit held still for my camera!  Notice its white chin.

I had to really stretch my neck to look up at the Moa's head.  These flightless birds, endemic to NZ, could reach 9-11 ft in height, but unfortunately, Moas have been extinct for years.

A beautiful goddess figure.  Please enlarge to read.

This structure would have been used as a storehouse.  See the little black door to the right of Jimmy's head?  This door was tiny so children could be sent in to fetch whatever was needed, but no grown person could squeeze in to raid it.  Clever....  Small detail below.

Around 4:30, we hopped (maybe hopped isn't the right word now) back in the coach to return to our hotel, where we rested for a bit.  Dinner was served in the hotel at 6:30, but this time, no menu had been selected in advance.  Each of the 22 RS travelers perused their menus at table and made their choices. The food was excellent, but -- you know we Americans like to sit down and eat -- dinner in NZ is to be enjoyed ... slowly.  Courses appeared at a snail's pace, yet we all endured till dessert appeared and was consumed.  We got up from the table at 8:45 and, stifling mighty yawns, scattered to our rooms.  Our very full day had come to an end.

We were assured dinners of this sort wouldn't happen again!  Tomorrow?  O boy -- a field trip!

Monday Morning, 11/21/16

Breakfast on the 13th floor overlooking Viaduct (Auckland) Harbour is a great way to start a day! And we knew that sailing on that harbor this morning was in the cards for our group, woohoo!

First, tho, it was our privilege to sit for a morning lecture introducing us to New Zealand history, including learning (I use the word loosely) to pronounce Māori words.  Gordon McLauchlan, author of A Short History of New Zealand, held our attention with his information and humor, but I doubt any of his “students” can roll their R’s like he could or remember those long Māori place names! He was kind enough to give each of us an autographed copy of the above book, which is a treasure-trove for learning more about this young country.  Thank you, Gordon.

But, the sun was shining and after morning tea, we were ready for a walk to the waterfront for an hour’s sail on Waitemata Harbour ... and you know Jimmy and I love to be on the water.  Would that it had lasted longer!  Perhaps I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Ibby and Jimmy.

Cool watching the seaplane land.

Ah, my sailor!

We are 22 people in our RS group, split into two identical sailboats.  When we looked across at the other boat, we knew that we were their mirror image.  The Harbour bridge looms in the background.

As we passed beneath the bridge, we were startled to see what looked like a sack of cement plummet toward the water ... and then it bopped back up toward the bridge, boing-boing.  Dang!  Bungee jumping is everywhere!

How about the Sky Tower between the sails?

My turn at the helm, with our Captain,  Most of us took at turn "steering."

Up goes the lift bridge to let our "twin" pass.

Jimmy (with Bernice and Ibby) says, "It doesn't get any better than this!"