Oosterdam Cruise Vacation 2015

'The Untidy Soldier' is the colloquial name for Frank Lynch's bronze figure of a First World War combatant which stands atop the war memorial in Devonport, New Zealand. The figure was unveiled in 1924. Another casting was placed in Masterton in 1923. 200_2_P1030398C

The Patriot in Devonport (New Zealand) is marketed as the town's only British pub. It is also notable as a former branch of Bank of New Zealand. 200_2_P1030401

This mosaic dragon bench in Ngataringa Park, Devonport is by ceramic artist Karen Kennedy. Hand made tiles are placed on a ferro-cement structure. 200_2_P1030408

An Alsatian waits patiently outside the New World supermarket in Devonport, New Zealand. 200_2_P1030410SC

Before we went to New Zealand, I did not know what to expect and wondered whether our four day stay in Auckland - primarily to adjust to the time difference - would be worthwhile. It was. Auckland is a lively and attractive city and we enjoyed every minute. This is a view from Devonport. 200_2_P1030414C

The famous and very successful yacht 'Steinlager 2' is seen here sailing between Auckland and Devonport. She won the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1990 and is now more than 25 years old. 200_2_P1030416

This striking modification to a Toyota Coaster is for the shuttle from Auckland's CBD to Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium. SHARK2 is seen in Quay Street, Auckland. 200_2_P1030424C

Part of the excitement of worldwide photography is to engage in the detective work often necessary afterwards to provide useful notes with the picture. The bus and coach industry is complex with the links between branding and owners or operators frequently not obvious and this is as much the case in New Zealand as anywhere. This North Star Designline bodied MAN 17.223 2463/CRJ145 was at Devonport Ferry Terminal. The telephone number shown on the display is the recruitment line for (historically) Stagecoach New Zealand which is now NZ Bus. North Star comes under the NZ Bus umbrella and 'North Star' lettering normally appears between the fleet number and the accessibility symbol. Without that lettering quite a bit of time consuming research was needed which is why my New Zealand pictures are still making their way on to ipernity more than six weeks after the vacation. 200_2_P1030418

A twilight shot of Metropolitan Rentals Mitsubishi Fuso 210/EQC43 at North Wharf, Auckland. 200_2_P1030442C

The Cloud, an event venue on Queen's Wharf, Auckland, was originally built for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Its construction was, reportedly, controversial and, although striking, I am not sure that I actually like it. It seemed underutilised (it is/was intended to be temporary) and it is rather annoyingly lit at night. 200_2_P1030419C

The lively North Wharf, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland. 200_2_P1030443

The Hauraki Blue Cruises catamaran cruise ship 'Ipipiri' in Auckland Harbour. 200_2_P1030439C

The predecessor of today's Ports of Auckland was the Auckland Harbour Board and there are several examples of fine ironwork around the Ferry Terminal area to remind one of the heritage. 200_2_P1030433

Flying the improbable flag of McDonald's (with a little kiwi appended) the Auckland Adventure Jet is seen moored at Auckland's Pier 3. The Kwikkraft built vessel has twin 300hp Volve jet engines. 200_2_P1030432

The Fullers catamaran 'Harbour Cat' at Auckland. 200_2_P1030126C

The Sealink ferry 'Clipper II' in Auckland Harbour on a busy Saturday morning. Sealink is one of a number of ferry operators in the area and provides links to Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands and Pine Harbour. 200_2_P1030124

Aveling and Porter road roller near the entrance to MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology), Western Springs, Auckland. 200_2_P1030139

On our arrival at Auckland's wonderful MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology), Sydney R Class No. 1808 of 1934 was the tram in service on the shuttle to Auckland Zoo. 200_2_P1030141