Auckland

Sailing in the city of sails

 

     All aboard! It's about time I set sail in the city of sails don't you think? Well I figured out that today was the last Friday I would be in Auckland! That's weird! Next Friday I am in Hamilton, the following Friday I am up in the Northland, then the next Friday I fly out to Australia, and will be there! Crazy huh? So don't you think it was about time that I set sail in the city of sails!? 

     Anyway, Thursday night, Hannah and I were deciding what we wanted to do. We had a couple of options. We thought about canyoning, and then we thought about going sailing. I have been wanting to take a sail boat around the harbor ever since we got over here, and every time I go into Auckland I see all the sail boats and I just want to go on a ride, so this is when we decided, we were going sailing. Once we decided we were going to go sailing we had to decided what sail trip to take. There was a coffee sailing, a lunch and a dinner sailing. We decided we wanted to go on the lunch sailing! This left the harbor at 1:00. From here, we went to bed, and said we'd figure the rest out in the morning (and hope it wasn't booked.)

    Anyway, Friday morning, we woke up slowly! Don't worry I slept in until about 8:00! And, my alarm didn't even go off, I just woke up. I may become a morning person yet. Now when I woke up, it looked a bit hazy outside, and by hazy I mean it was completely foggy and we couldn't even see across the street. This worried us. We weren't sure if we were going to be able to go sailing anymore. Both of us were a little bit sad. We decided we would wait and see if it cleared up or what would happen. Around nine o' clock it started to clear. Not tons but some. This is when we decided we would still go in, and even if it wasn't a good sailing day, we would at least go into Auckland.

         Anyway, we got ready, then figured we would leave around ten thirty to go into the city. Well this was a great plan except we didn't really figure out the buses. So at ten thirty Hannah and I quickly/frantically were trying to find the buses that would take us into Britomart. Good news we found a bus, and it was leaving right at the perfect time! YEAH! We have successfully figured out the bus system. I know that sounds crazy but we did!

        Anyway, we got on the bus and it took us to Britomart (Britomart is the main station in downtown Auckland.) Once we were there we had to walk around and try and find the Pride of Auckland, Explore New Zealand. We had an idea where it was, but we weren't exactly sure where. So we wandered down the harbor, and then guess what! We saw a sail with Pride of Auckland on the side! This is when we knew we were close! We kept walking, and then we found the booking station! Good news there was still enough room for us! We were now going sailing! They gave us our boarding pass and said be back her at one. We had about a half hour before the boat set sail, so Hannah and I walked around the wharf for a little.

     We came back to the harbor about five to one! We were awaiting the defiance to be called so we could board! Then they called us! We walked down and got on board. There were about ten of us on the boat, so it was quite a small tour! I was so happy about this! We got on, and they reviewed all of the safety procedures for us. Next they took our orders for lunch. I had a chicken sandwich, fruit, a brownie, and milo! Then once we had gotten all of our lunch orders ready, we were set to sail! We motored out of the harbor a little ways, then once we passed the docks, it was time to put up the sails! This was so neat to watch. The sails went up, and then all of sudden we caught the wind and we were sailing!

 

    We started sailed out and immediately had an incredible view of the city, and the sky tower. Also if you notice the skies in the picture, it cleared up at the perfect time! The sun came out, and we were able to have a dry sunny sail day! It was the perfect timing! We were asking the workers when was the best time for sailing, and they said, "You're in it. Today is one of the best days we've had in a long time." I was so happy about that!

 That was the view we had from the back of the sail boat, but then in front of us was the Harbor Bridge! We got to sail underneath the Harbor Bridge! This was incredible! That view was absolutely gorgeous as well!

     As we were out sailing there were some practices sails out. They are practicing for the American Sailing Cup. We got to see some pretty amazing sail boats!

    After we had admired those for a little bit, our skipper (I'm not really sure what to call him) said is anyone feeling brave today? I wasn't really sure what he was asking about but I decided I would be brave today. I figured the worst thing that could happen would be that he would say k jump in and swim, and I would just not do it, but I am so glad I was brave today! He wanted to know who wanted to steer the boat! Guess what!!! I got to drive a sail boat! I loved it! He goes, "K you're the brave one, give me your camera, you're going to come drive the boat for a little while, and I'll just snap some shots of you!" It was so incredible! I was a little scared I'm not going to lie, but after a little bit I enjoyed it very much! I kind of struggled at first, I couldn't really catch the wind, but by the end I was doing really well, and the wind was pulling the sail tight, and we made it up to about 10 knots! I know that's really not that fast in the world of sailing, but that was the highest speeds they were getting today with the wind, so I was excited about that!

 

 

(This is what I could see when I was steering) 

    After I had been steering for a little while, I decided I would let someone else have a turn. As much fun as I was having, I decided that it was probably nicer if I let everyone else have a chance to steer too. So I sat back down and I was just enjoying the view. This was one of the neatest things ever! We sailed all around the harbor, and we sailed by all the places I have been to! It was so much fun to see them! We sailed past Rangitoto, we sailed past Devon Port, we sailed past Waiheke, and we sailed under the Harbor Bridge! It was incredible.

 

 (The Harbor Bridge)

(Almost sailing under Harbor Bridge)

 (Hannah and I with Rangitoto in the background.)

 (View of the city from the other side of the bridge)

     We sailed out and around everything, then we started to head back into the harbor. On the way back in there was a gorgeous view of the Sky Tower. I've been looking for a pretty view, or picture to take my picture reading the Box Elder News and Journal to send in, and I decided this was the shot. So I took my picture here reading the paper, then I wanted one just with me in it because it was so pretty. (Be looking for the New's and Journal Picture.) Professor Jim will be very sad that he wasn't there to see this picture being taken. He's been so excited to see me pull my newspaper out and read it. 

 

   After I took that picture we were just enjoying the view and the ride, when they started talking about the America Sailing Cup. New Zealand just had announced that they were going to be apart of the next one a few days ago. Guess what! I got to see them practicing! They brought their sail boat that they are entering out for the first time today! They were out practicing, and I got to see it! I was so excited It was so neat! I saw all of the team members and how they were trying to work together, and running around the deck catching the wind! This was so much fun to see! I am going to have to follow the sailing cup now. 

        After that we just sailed back into the harbor. We got off, and we walked up and down the wharf and along some of the shops. Then about an hour later after had gotten off of the sail boat, it started to poor! It was raining cats and dogs! I have never seen it rain that hard in my life! We had the perfect sail day! The sun was out and it was hot, then the winds were here, and were blowing in a storm so they were pretty strong winds, but we were off the sail boat before the storm hit! It was such a fun day! It was absolutely gorgeous, and just a nice relaxing day at sail.
       Once it started raining, we hopped on a bus, and head back home! It was a good Friday sailing in the city of sails!