People Everywhere

It has been a beautiful day, with blue skies and sunshine, although it was still fairly windy.

I decided to visit the Tauranga rose gardens but there were no free parking spaces, so I moved on to Memorial Park.

For the number of cars occupying spaces, the dearth of humans was amazing. Perhaps they park here now and catch a bus into town?

The main attraction here is the playground and it was almost empty.

Heavy traffic was causing congestion on the harbour bridge as I made my way back to the Mount, where I was lucky enough to find a park.

The 'Celebrity Edge' cruise ship was in port for the day (that is it below, sitting behind the building), and many of its 3000-odd passengers were wandering around town (it was difficult to take a photo without someone looking at you!).

After a last look at the crystal clear harbour water lapping the beach, I headed back to my motel in Papamoa.

There is a Marathon on this Sunday, so I imagine a lot of people will be arriving tonight for the weekend. No doubt there will be more surfers arriving as well, to swell the numbers already out enjoying the ocean.

I may find busyness and crowds of people a bit daunting now, but the beach is still beautiful and I'm enjoying being here.

Margaret xx