First Day - Auckland
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| We landed at Auckland International Airport around 7AM local but were last off the plane so it took us a while to get through Immigration and Customs. The beagle bio-dog hit on Lynnette's purse but the orange he smelled had been consumed during the flight. $400 fine if you get caught with some fruit. Maggie was waiting for us when we finally cleared. Our first destination: Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium. We can rest later! |
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The glass is fogged in the picture but it was much clearer in person. They have some great penguins here.
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| No explanation required. |
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We were sitting by this pool when all of a sudden this giant Ray comes gliding by.
I didn't get a good picture but the aquarium's flagship attraction was a long clear acrylic tube you walked through while fish swam all around including overhead. I've never seen anything like it. Really neat.
Kelly Tarleton was the Jacques Cousteau of New Zealand. He conceived and built this acquarium which was an instant success. Tragically, he died suddenly soon after it opened. He was only 47.
I liked this acquarium; it's as good as the one in Baltimore or Monterey.
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| Our next stop was the Auckland Museum which reminded me greatly of the British Museum. It covered New Zealand history and had many Maori and Pacific Island artifacts. I was struck by how Polynesian they were. New Zealand is a long way from Hawaii but the Polynesian's were able to make the trip. |
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| A Maori War Canoe which was produced from a single, huge tree. |
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Lynnette fits right in with this Maori Warrior.
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| A Maori meeting house. Very impressive. |
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The workmanship on the walls --intricate painted carvings -- was amazing.
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| The Auckland Museum is also a War Memorial. They had two planes, this very rare Japanese Zero -- captured at Rabaul -- and a Spitfire. If you are only going to have two planes, these are two good ones to have. |
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| The New Zealand version of the BLT at the museum restaurant. |
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| We headed to the house where Maggie works as a Nanny in Devonport, just across the bay from Auckland city center. The family she works for graciously allowed us to stay at their home. |
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| A welcome message for us from Emma, Luke and Jody. |
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| We walked with Maggie to the school to pick up Luke and Jody. This beach is along the way. Nice. |
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