Gulf Harbour and Sightseeing

The forecast for today was for showers developing into possible afternoon thundery showers.  This did not bode well for our last game of golf in New Zealand as we did not want to be packing wet gear and clubs for our flight tomorrow.  As we drove across the Harbour Bridge northwards, the morning seemed bright.  When we eventually found the golf course (the sat nav suggested there were roads where there were not!) it was sunny and warm.  As the morning developed, it got warmer and more humid.  The course starts off relatively gently and then develops nicely into quite a challenge with the back 9 being both very picturesque and quite tough.



11th Gulf Harbour

There are two holes where one is driving over gorges with cliffs and the sea on the right hand side.  From the very back tees, the shot is quite daunting and requires a huge carry.  There is one par 5 of some 570 metres.  Altogether though, it was one of the best courses we have played during our visit.  After rehydrating in the clubhouse, we decided that, if it was still bright when we got back to Auckland, we would go up the Skytower.  This is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere and, they tell us, weighs the same as 6000 elephants (clearly an important piece of information!).  There was quite a queue to get in as there was a cruise ship in today, but the wait (when one got up the tower) was worth it (even though we had to pay full price today compared to yesterday when we were admitted as senior citizens!).  We were able to look out on where we had been over the past few days, watch some people 'walking the tower' and, indeed, one mad fool jumping off the tower (all roped up, we should add).  Not one for Rachel this as the lift has a clear door and there are windows on the way up and, when you get to the top, there are sections of plate glass floor to let one see straight down!  An opportunity for a few photos though.  Out for our last dinner in New Zealand tonight and, we reckon, a gentle day of sightseeing tomorrow before our flight.



Checking the video footage