Auckland and the end of an epic journey

Awaiting my flight to Auckland for the final prt of my journey around the world.

Some of the boats at the Maritime Museum in Auckland. It is a spectacular display of all things maritime for the last 500 and more years from the Pacific Islanders through the Maori's to the present. All the various craft and including David Blake and his incredible yachting exploits.

A Moi inter-island sailing boat.

Home of the Hamilton Jet. Who knew that it was invented by a farmer in New Zealand?

Maritime stainless glass windows in the Museum. Stunning.

Another view of the other end of the Maori sailing twin hull.

In the bus on the way to the Motor Transport Museum. Note the ferns!

The Prime Ministers 50cc Honda. I had one in 1st year at university. Mine was Blue of course.

Bit shakey as I was so excited to see this magnificent Ford. Love to have one.

Bad lighting, but these are two of the classic WW2 posters used in NZ for the war savings promotion

This is one of a number of the America's Cup yachts on permanent dsiplay outside the Maritime Museum. What an amazing piece of technology.

Another of the international Around the World Yachts salied by New Zealand. Steinlager.

Long time no=see. Rodger van Kempen and I together again after too many years. Good to see him and spend time together.

Mark Langenhoven found this and refurbished it and had to find a missing wheel in the USA for it to be driveable. These are much sought after now mostly in Europe and the USA and are worth a huge sum compared to when they were manufactured. Collectable.

From the porch at the Langenhovens home in Birkenhead near North Cote. Such an incredibly beautiful forest. Good for the soul at dawn and noon and dusk and everywhere inbetween. The birds which live here make this even more magic.

A little Father Christmas/St. Nicolas in Queen Street. Who said the tradition was passing? Love it. Whether he is St. Nicolas, Sinterklaas, Santa Klaus or the Red attired Coca Cola inspired Father Christmas, let the tradition stay alive and strong.

I love that name more than 'B\New Zeland'. Aotearoa rolls off the tongue so much more easily.

I saw this work in the National Gallery in Auckland. I think it means 'Stand up' or 'Stand tall'  Beautiful word.

I love these 'multi-paintings'. I did a big one for Neil Barnard of his home on the Breede River. Maybe it is time to start painting again and I can do one to join the one in the SACS about my visiting over 200 Old Boys worldwide.

I just love trees and these magestic giants are food for the soul.

How is this for GIGANTIC!

National Museum in a magetic building at the top of the Dominion Gardens. What a hike that was from the Viaduct.

Love this Maori welcome too.

A sacred Maori Meetig House in the museum by permission of the Maori Elders.

A hugely imrpessive 200 man Maori War canoe of the 1840's

I tried everywhere to get a decent photo of a Moa and finally had to settle for this one with glass reflections, but it gave some idea of the size of this, the biggest of the about 24 different types from the islands. So sad that they were wiped out by the islanders in such a short time after their arrival from accross the Pacific.

A beautiful restored Spitfire. Still my favourite plane of all time.

The magnificent Rolls Royce Merlin 12 cylinder engine. What an awesome sound it makes.

So strange being on the 'other side' when viewing this memorial.

How true, how poinant. We do not learn do we? Man is doing it all over again in Iraq and Syria.

We must keep doing this and believe it to be worthwhile.

The second Zero I have ever seen and this one is immaculate.

A touch of hom. An Aristea. So perfect.

Ferry Terminal for all the many islands nearby.

New Zealand 'Chrsistmas Tree. I have seeds.

Andre du Plessis and I together again so many years later. He was my Cadet Band Drum Major.

Jon Riches, Moi, Travis Badenhorst and in front, Mark Langenhoven, International runner, Wayne Botha and Greg Daniel. Leo Miller had left already at this point. Old Boys together at the North Cote Tavern.

My boys pulling faces. Dr. Travis and Dr. Justin Badenhorst in Pharmacology and Veterinary Science. Now that is impressive. So very good to see them both again.

The living garden in the Auckland Botanic Garden. Quite impressive.

Perfect vegetables in the Botanic Gardens.

Beautiful spray of Roses in the Old Garden

The scent from thse Old English Roses was magnificent.

Just to show they don't really dislike us too much. The South African Garden with Proteas and Aloes and Dietes and so many other SA plants that we love.

A little past its prime, but what a magnificent Protea. Made me more homesick.

Impressive entrance to the uckland Botanic Gardens.

A spectacular Ficus in Albert Park in the city. Just look at that enormous trunk bottom centre. Just spectacular.

One of two of the large Naval guns in Albert Park overlooking the harbour.

This tree is over 40 meters wide. Very impressive indeed.

Some idea of this massive tree.

Final flight home from Sydney after leaving Auckland at 03.00 on the 11th and reaching Cape Town at 20.30 on the 11th and don't for a moment think there was not a time difference to add!
So, here I am home at last after an epic voyage having stayed with Mark Langenhoven and Jonathan Riches and theur families in Auckland on the final leg. They were genrous and gracious hosts. One more blog to come and the journey will be complete.