Scow

Auckland - Last stop in New Zealand

We are spending an "urban weekend" in Auckland, which is our last stop in New Zealand. It is a nice city, and as everywhere in this country, people are very friendly. I am a bit troubled with wearing leather shoes. They just don't have the grip, like Vibram soles. But otherwise, I enjoy the town. Learned today about Scow Ships, which are designed with a flat bottom and were used for transportation along the coastline, where there are no ports. Due to their construction, these ships can during high tide sail on the beach and fall dry when the water is low again. During this time they do the loading and at the next high tide they sail off again. I also learned about Sir Peter Blake, his amazing achievements and legacy. I am impressed - also by his red socks. Time to say goodbye to New Zealand. Soon we will take the trip around the globe by plane. Remember what we learned in Germany in the primary school: when you put a knitting needle through the globe in Germany, passing the centre of the earth, then the other side will come out in New Zealand. Well, that's actually not exactly right, like many other things in primary school. But it is a long trip. That's what it means. Goodbye New Zealand. We will be back.

View on Auckland from the harbor.

View on Auckland from the harbor.