New Zealand - Pacific Crossing Notes: A Sailor's Guide to the Coconut Milk Run - page 346

The Spice of Life: a Day at the Museum
The helmsman barks orders; grinders sweat at their winches; the tactician eyes the field.
Another day at the races? No - a rainy day at the museum! Centrally located on the Auck-
land waterfront, Voyager: New Zealand Maritime Museum lets visitors feel like they're on
the water even when they're indoors. Traditional exhibits display Polynesian seagoing ca-
noes and trace the history of tall ships. What really captivated our attention, however, was
the recently opened permanent exhibit: Blue Water, Black Magic: A Tribute to Sir Peter
Blake.
Besides a section devoted to the national hero of this boating nation, the new wing displays
boats, everything from modest dinghies to the 1995 America's Cup winner, Black Magic .
Of the many interactive stations, our favorite was a computer-simulated race platform
where a six person team can put a racing yacht through her paces. We put Nicky into the
helmsman's role and did our best to keep up with his wild but enthusiastic maneuvers:
Hard aport! Gybe ho! Later, he and a seven-year-old buddy took turns at keel design on an-
other computer, while we parents sat gaping at southern ocean footage from the Jules Verne
Trophy.
To top off an entertaining afternoon, visitors can board one of the historic ships in the mu-
seum's fleet for a harbor cruise. On the scow Ted Ashby , we lent a hand to raise sails and
listened raptly as the ship's volunteer crew shared anecdotes. Markus inquired about volun-
teering and whether a minimum age limit applied. “More like a maximum!” joked the
seventy-year-old deckhand, one of the crew's younger members. The relaxed, friendly at-
mosphere they created made the experience all the more memorable, as if Auckland harbor
views weren't enough to cement the experience into our minds.
Last, but not least, the fun and fascination of Voyager can be enjoyed at a bargain price: we
were admitted for free during school holidays, and the regular family admission is a fair
NZ$32 (roughly US$16); a family pays only NZ$20 (US$10) more for the harbor cruise.
Even with all the outdoor pursuits available in and around Auckland, visitors to New Zeal-
and should not miss Voyager. Plan your visit at www.maritimemuseum.co.nz [#1] .