Doing Devonport

We have driven through Devonport several times when Allie has taken the family to Northhead. It's a very pretty place. Palm trees tower over blocks of shops, bistros, and sidewalk cafes. The whole place everywhere exudes historic charm. It's a tourist destination. According to Wikipedia, it has been compared to Sausalito, Ca. due to it's setting and scenery. 

But we've never walked around it and explored this little town. Today, Jeanne is busy at home with various projects but I have set myself the task of discovering what I can about the place. 

It's located just across the harbour from Auckland on what's called the North Shore. A twelve minute ferry ride will get me there. If you're interested, come along and see what I saw...

I was able to bypass the ferry ticket counters with their long lines of tourists from the two cruise ships that are in port today. I simply tagged on with my card at one of the AtHOP terminals and headed for the gate. I had about 10 minutes to wait. 

This is the ferry that I took. 

We're crossing now. Another of Auckland's many volcanic cones in the background. 

Approaching the dock in Devonport

Going with the flow, ashore. And how delightful it was to learn that the fare across the harbor, while $12.50 for tourists, is $4.80 for regular AtHOP card holders and free for those of us, like me and the guy in the foreground wearing the yellow shirt who has just finished sipping from his thermos,  who have attained the rank of Senior Citizen. 

This tree was one of the first things I saw. I wish you could see it in person because my pictures don't do it justice. I didn't know that figs could put down air roots, but obviously, they can and this one did, to such an extent that is amazing. 

The figs are small 

For scale, compare the tree to the folks walking by it. 

A memorial to fallen soldiers

The beach is small with gentle waves. 

That's Auckland's War Memorial Museum on the hill. 

I was walking down a back street when I saw the sign for this boat builder. A very nice shop, isn't it? 

Another example of how Kiwis love to decorate public walls.

Another thing Kiwis are good at is providing benches to sit on. As I mentioned earlier, I appreciate that. 

I never knew that palm trees grew berries like that. 

And here is a very comfortable place. I have been walking for some time and I could use a spot of refreshment. Let's go in.

It's The Patriot, and, as you see, offers a sunny and sheltered beer garden. Oh boy.

The interior is cozy.

I bought a small Guinness, and with it in hand, have made my way through the rooms. Look at what a narrow passageway connects us to the beer garden. I like that about old buildings. 

And here we are. That's my small drink on the table. There was a group having a meal just to the right of the limit of the photo.

Heading back to the ferry terminal for my return. 

There is one of the cruise ships on the right. We'll dock at the Ferry Building. That's the brown one on the left side. As you can see, ferries come and go constantly. It's very well organized and easy to use them.    -djf