Tauranga, still wet and windy

16^thOctober 2019

Arrival in Tauranga is not much more promising than our arrival in Auckland. It is still windy and rain is threatening in the distance but it is momentarily fine when the ship docks. We are not in a hurry to disembark, as we have no tours booked and intend to do a bit of walking if the weather permits. At around 9am, we decide to go ashore. It is cool so we take a jumper and the rain looks like it is getting closer, so umbrellas are also included (not that they are of much use if the wind is gusty).

Early morning arrival at the cruise terminal

The weather soon turns on us

Our plan is to head for the base of Mount Mauganui and follow the walking track around its base, which we have been told is very scenic. We have not ventured far from the ship before the heavens opened and everyone was ducking for cover. Plans were quickly changed to head for the main shopping area instead, where shelter under shop awnings and a nice warm cup of coffee sounded a lot more promising. 

Mount Maunganui

The shopping area along Maunganui Road is a real surprise. There are lots of very modern shops with nice merchandise, lots of restaurants and cafes and good general facilities. The place has changed dramatically from when we were last here, a very long time ago. We had been told that Tauranga was the fastest growing city in NZ and it looks like Mount Maunganui has benefited greatly.

Backpackers are also catered for.

After walking a lap around the main shopping street, the rain had eased to a light sprinkle, so we set out to see the beach, which is reputed to be one of NZ’s best. Once again we are amazed at the development along the beachfront with new apartment buildings lining the shoreline, and no difficulty finding a coffee shop.

The beach with a few hardy surfers braving the 15.3 C water temperature

Even the Surf Club looks very new and modern.

By the time we had finished our coffee it was around 10.30am, and the rain was still only very light, so we decided to go back to our original plan and circumnavigate Mount Maunganui.  The entrance to the path is just past the surf club, so we are already in the general area to keep going.

A message for the local hunters and gathers at the beginning of the path

It is an easy walk and very scenic. Furthermore the rain has stopped, for the time being anyway. Along the way we had great views looking back at the beach and the township, there is lots of birdlife, the occasional seal sunning itself on the rocks, and of course sheep grazing on the mountain pastures. 

Looking back toward the beach

A very happy seal

One lonely trawler heads out to try his luck

Statue of a Maori Warrior guarding the harbour next to the port marker

The Mount is also a working farm and walkers have to be careful to close gates on the way through

End of the circumnavigation looking back towards the town and Ruby Princess

By the time we were back in town, it was lunch time, and there were plenty of good options on shore, so we were happy to eat ashore rather than rush back to the ship. Eventually, we settled on a little Vietnamese Restaurant and had some very fresh, healthy and flavoursome food. 

Not an easy port to enter in poor conditions, and very tidal

The local fishermen are well prepared

The rain returned whilst we were inside the restaurant, so there was no hurry to rush our lunch. The restaurant was packed, mostly with locals. 

By the time we were back on the street the rain had stopped and there are signs of the weather clearing, although it is still quite windy. We headed back on board at 2.30pm, have had a good look around on shore. Everyone is due back on board at 5pm for sailing tonight to Akaroa.

With everyone on board and ready to go, the Captain has just made an announcement that in the current wind conditions, Ruby Princess is unable to get out of Tauranga Harbour and we will be here until at least 3am tomorrow morning when the next suitable tide to make an exit occurs.

Shore hours were extended till 10.30 pm for those who wished to spend a few more hours ashore, but very few took advantage of this.