Wednesday, 2 July 2014

One day in Auckland

Had a really good sleep! Actual duvets. Cosy! Was dressed and out by 8:45, trying to make a good go of seeing the city. First destination was Mt. Eden - the highest of 40 volcanos in Auckland! I was going for the green inner city bus to get there, but the driver told us we needed the red one so got on that. It was wrong and we got off and got on the green one!

The hike to the sumit was a long one but got good views of the city and it didn't rain whilst we were up there! 




It's very cold and moody today, with on and off downpours. 

Laura wasn't impressed!


Next we walked to the museum in the pouring rain. It was really good! Got loads of pictures of Polynesian wood carvings, textiles and patterns. The Maori language was first and English second on all the signs. All the artefacts where from and about the Maori people. I still don't know much about them but we've noticed a lot of the people we see in the city seem to be of indigenous decent. We lost each other and Laura panicked and had all the staff trying to find me! She had tried calling me and a strange freaky little girl voice had answered??!!!

Next was a volcano exhibition all about the Auckland volcanoes. What would happen 'not if, but when' one exploded. All the measures and drills they have and a simulator. This was interesting because one erupts every 5000 years so it could be due. Seems most of New Zeland was formed by volcanic activity. 

The third floor was all about the world wars from New Zealand's point of view. We fully did the Ww2 part, I had no idea about their involvement. They were there to provide us with troops and food and even children were evacuated there but it got worse for them when Japan joined in and the war came to their doorstep. We had to draw ourselves out of ww1 coz we'd spent ages in here and needed to see something else. I could have stayed! 

Auckland Museum and War Memorial within Auckland Domain. 

We walked the wrong directions off this volcano and found ourselves walking miles! Found a green bus stop after a while and got on this to Parnell. Cute shops and boutiques but not much to look at. Desperately searching for a pub at this point! Minks cafe will do, had a - not cheap - glass of wine each and read the paper! Got on our way to Sky Tower, another green bus, shivering in the dark. 
Got there and was helped decide it wasn't worth paying $28 to go up because it's dark and raining but we went up to a sports bar for a cocktail. Also walked through the Casino. 

Left here and found free wifi at a subway! Ate and then walked back to the hotel. will sleep well tonight as we have walked so much and it's constantly up and down hills. Nice city, not loads to do and we've probably executed them in one day but we've seen our fair share of the city!

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