Life at No.22, Snapshots of Tauranga

Snapshots of Tauranga #65 – Spring – Painting our world

Suzanne

Tis the season when spring has the pleasure of decorating our world.

Cherry blossom: what is not to love about that soft, luxurious pink

One not so attractive event is the arrival of humongous cruise ships and their disembarking visitors, taking up space in our conversations and a fair bit of space in Pilot Bay at the Mount.

As an “I’m not a cruise sort of girl”, I have no idea what passengers are searching for on board, and after embarking and exploring within a kilometre or two, they mostly look bewildered as they slowly waddle down to the beachside cafes, marching like penguins while snapping a few photos to say they’ve been to Tauranga. Unfortunately, everything around the Mount seems far too quiet to do much. As a local, I see it differently; it’s a small part of my day, not a lingering memory to take away.

The first one: Celebrity Edge slides in, assisted, along the portside on a foggy Tuesday morning.

You can hear hands slapping together as the retail sector prepares to nab more money from these eager visitors. Winners and losers come in equal measure during cruise season.

Turning left from the ship view to see Mauao donning her latest headwear.

Well, I think the cherry and kowhai blossoms are winners in the “life is good” award this week for their uplifting beauty and pulling me out of my daydreaming in a blardy good way.

Spring has sprung and painting our environment.

The classic sign of spring – the cherry blossom
Faulkner Park is a small reserve with large rhododendrons
Looking up – kowhai blossoms
Looking up – cherry blossoms
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Published by Suzanne

I'm a lover of creativity and movement, expressed through photography, words, travel and sports. . . . . . .

22 thoughts on “Snapshots of Tauranga #65 – Spring – Painting our world”

    1. Kowhai flowers are one of my favourites. I was going to include more images though that went out the window when a couple of young women came across a deceased man (homeless) in the garden at Kulim park. I quickly walked past as emergency services were arriving. If only I had taken my normal route. Life in the fast lane at 6.30am 😉

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        2. Well, I went for an early morning walk and was pleased to see flowers placed where he lay. A closure for those who found him and for passersby. Thankfully, it’s still a pleasure to walk around the harbourside.

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            1. Very true, and I’ve noticed homeless people frequenting the wealthier suburbs more lately, not just the streets of the inner city. We are a welfare society so it really shouldn’t be happening. So many organisations that are there for support, though the homeless have such complex needs it’s not an easy fix.

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  5. It’s fun to watch our opposite seasons through the year. Cruise ships, ugh. A couple we know is heading to New Zealand soon. They’re going to a small island in Fiji first, then the South Island to drive around in a small camper van.

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  8. I didn’t realise your ‘hood was a cruise magnet. Not my cuppa either, but no doubt good for the economy! Thanks for the lovely blooms. Melx

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