Running along the waterfront this evening (well actually yesterday now) I took a diversion into Queen’s wharf where tied up at the wharf are two Chinese Defence (or as the security guard said “war”) ships. The crisp blue uniforms of the sailors were striking as they walked backwards and forwards from the ship. Some were practicing their marching on the wharf. What is the Chinese Navy doing in Auckland? As you look up from Queen’s wharf the HSBC tower is prominent and there were traders selling dozens of wool duvets in a makeshift stall in the shed so maybe they got lost and thought they were in Hong Kong.
Either way, despite that they had guns pointed at the Vero Building they seemed friendly enough. In fact you can see from the banner on the side of the vessels that they were here for friendly purposes.
Hope they enjoyed the Super City.
Stephen
