Sunday 23 March

Our first full day in Auckland was spent still trying to acclimate to the change in time zones and change in Hemispheres. A nap or two helps a lot.

We started out with a breakfast from groceries picked up from the Woolworth store and then headed down to the harbour. In addition to sailing boats, ferries, parks and playgrounds, there was the New Zealand Maritime Museum. We thought we might spend an hour or so there but finding that three hours wasn't enough.

At the dock outside the museum was this (perhaps) 70 foot ocean going catamaran similar to those used by Pacific Islanders. Very similar to ones in the Moana movies.

Bev first headed to the hall containing items about polar expeditions—especially to see the 1914 Shackleton Expedition in the Endurace. This is where the ship got trapped in ice and somehow Shackleton managed to get every crew member out safely.
 
Also of interest was some of the sailing ships that the New Zealand teams created and used in the America's Cup races. This is a photo of one of the models. The snapshots I took of the ships in the museum made them look a little cramped. Lots of classes of sailboats. Cool beans!

The harbour is filled with larger and smaller islands so there developed a booming ferry service. This building was the main offices of the ferry services. Looks like early 20th century architecture.

Jan and Mike enjoying a delightful day harbourside with the ever present Sky Tower in the background.

Of course there's always time for a cup of coffee and biscuits to get a little pick-me-up.

Throughout the central Auckland district (as far as we know) are painted sculptures of kiwis done by different artists. This one was in a main pedestrian area and if you notice the label, was painted by Sam Allen. Thanks Sam.