Day 6 - Monday 12th June, Mangaese Point - Whangarei

 

Day 6 - Monday 12th June

Manganese Point - Whangarei

Got up to another cold morning under the shade of the hill behind us. The sun doesn’t get over it down to our caravan until about 11:00am.

After a bit of discussion we decided to pack up ready to head north, and then go into the “Riverside Hub” for a look around. Finding a parking place for the caravan in the streets close by was easier than I expected.

First, we went to find the Clockwork Balls – a fascinating display of telling the time by a mechanical system of balls in seemingly perpetual motion, with the energy being provided by a robot on a bicycle. Amazing to watch.

... and just in case you missed him here is the robot that powers it all:-

Just beside it was a huge sundial in the form of a circular paved area with a large gnomon in the middle telling the time by its shadow.

We walked down by the river with all the big private luxury yachts moored up alongside 

and full of lovely old villas, cafes, restaurants and art studios. 

We watched one man bowing glass into ornamental globes and dishes.

Just along from him was the Hundertwasser Museum, which was spectacular – wavy floors, mosaic tiling on the walls and a quirky structure.

Inside it was the Tree of Life (Sponsors)

The whole Riverside Hub was beautiful!

At about 12 noon we found our way back to the Clockwork Balls to watch it record 12:00 noon!

Just behind us was the Serenity Café where we went for lunch. The pies were really good.