Post by roverpup on Oct 21, 2023 17:34:26 GMT
The cruise was spectacular! There were about 10 people on the cruise and 3 crew. John was the skipper and he was a Kiwi but of the other two crew members, one was a young fellow from California ( Joe) and the other (don't remember his name) was from Oz. John the Skipper has a brother who lives in BC.
After a short safety talk - mainly about how to avoid getting hit in the head by the boom, we were underway! The food was pretty good considering the small size of the operation. They served about 3 different kinds of canapes (all delicious) and some drinks (we chose the apple cider) as we slowly made our way out of the harbour. John explained a number of landmarks around the harbour and soon we were out in wider water where the wind was much stronger! It was a very clear evening but the constant wind made it chilly.
We had great views of the ccity skyline from the boat (which was called The Defiant)! After a while we went to a calm cove and they began to prepare the dinner.
You could chose to eat on deck or down below. Because of the wind we chose below. The meal was basically a bowl of veggies and potatoes with a different meat on top. The crew had your choices and delivered without problems. We had chosen one fish and one beef option. The food was nicely cooked (veggies were perfectly crunchy and yet cooked) and the meat portion was generous and well cooked. After the main was done they served us our desserts. They were delicious - I had the chocolate mousse and Dan had the Eton Mess.
After dinner we went back up on deck and sailed under the harbour bridge and out into the open water. When we were heading out the skipper asked if anyone wanted to help steer the boat and a young daugther of a Kiwi family (who were on the cruise because it was the dad's birthday) came forward. John gave her some basic lessons and carefully gave her some simple tasks to perform with the steering wheel. She was a NAURAL! Soon she was confidently responding to John's instructions and steering the ship right under the Auckland Harbour bridge!! He even had her turn the boat right around and go back under the bridge to head home.
John took over once we were closer to land and the sail was tacked away and the motor engaged. It was dark by the time we got back in our berth. It was suictrprising how tired we were because of all the wind and salty air! We made our way back to our hotel and after making some preparations for the Welcome meeting with the tour tomorrow we went to sleep.
I highly recommend the dinner cruise to anyone thinking of coming to Auckland! It was well organised and fun! A really great evening of entertainment! Pictures. will follow...
Tomorrow we are going to the zoo and then going to the Welcome meeting for the tour at 6 pm. After the meeting is done the guide will be taking the group to a local restaurant. This is much the same at it was done in Japan. There are about 12 people in our group. The guide is named Nevan.
After a short safety talk - mainly about how to avoid getting hit in the head by the boom, we were underway! The food was pretty good considering the small size of the operation. They served about 3 different kinds of canapes (all delicious) and some drinks (we chose the apple cider) as we slowly made our way out of the harbour. John explained a number of landmarks around the harbour and soon we were out in wider water where the wind was much stronger! It was a very clear evening but the constant wind made it chilly.
We had great views of the ccity skyline from the boat (which was called The Defiant)! After a while we went to a calm cove and they began to prepare the dinner.
You could chose to eat on deck or down below. Because of the wind we chose below. The meal was basically a bowl of veggies and potatoes with a different meat on top. The crew had your choices and delivered without problems. We had chosen one fish and one beef option. The food was nicely cooked (veggies were perfectly crunchy and yet cooked) and the meat portion was generous and well cooked. After the main was done they served us our desserts. They were delicious - I had the chocolate mousse and Dan had the Eton Mess.
After dinner we went back up on deck and sailed under the harbour bridge and out into the open water. When we were heading out the skipper asked if anyone wanted to help steer the boat and a young daugther of a Kiwi family (who were on the cruise because it was the dad's birthday) came forward. John gave her some basic lessons and carefully gave her some simple tasks to perform with the steering wheel. She was a NAURAL! Soon she was confidently responding to John's instructions and steering the ship right under the Auckland Harbour bridge!! He even had her turn the boat right around and go back under the bridge to head home.
John took over once we were closer to land and the sail was tacked away and the motor engaged. It was dark by the time we got back in our berth. It was suictrprising how tired we were because of all the wind and salty air! We made our way back to our hotel and after making some preparations for the Welcome meeting with the tour tomorrow we went to sleep.
I highly recommend the dinner cruise to anyone thinking of coming to Auckland! It was well organised and fun! A really great evening of entertainment! Pictures. will follow...
Tomorrow we are going to the zoo and then going to the Welcome meeting for the tour at 6 pm. After the meeting is done the guide will be taking the group to a local restaurant. This is much the same at it was done in Japan. There are about 12 people in our group. The guide is named Nevan.
