A day of sunshine in Auckland

Well we finally had the time and weather together on a day when we could leave the stresses of dealing with the earthquake behind and relax a little.  There is so much going on even way up North here that it is hard to relax and you almost feel bad enjoying yourself. 

Our friends Jim and Lyndeen left this AM for Queenstown and we hope to get the flight tomorrow AM to join them.  Wendy and I took a bus into downtown Auckland and visited the Maritime Museum there, which is famtastic.  First we had a little lunch at an outdoor restaraunt.

They have an old two mast schooner that they sail every day and for only a little increase in the museum ticket you can go out on the harbor in this boat for a sail   It was great.  That is it behind me in the picture.

Here is a little better picture of it from the front.

After we got on the boat they asked for stooges to help with the rigging, so I was volunteered by my lovely wife.  I had to help the guy on the lines hoisting the sail. 

We had great wind.  We passed underneath the big bridge across a narrow part of the harbor, and got to see some folks bungee jumping as we passed pretty close by.  Not for me. 

It was a beautiful day.  The sails looked so good against the blue sky.

Auckland is a beautiful city with a very diverse population and lots going on.  It is a big center for sailing, shipping and business. 

We will sadly leave it tomorrow for a place which may not be as peaceful.