New Zealand! Auckland explorations -- February 19-21

New Zealand – we are more than halfway through our trip, but in terms of “doing” two countries, we are halfway since we are “done” with Australia, and we are now “doing” New Zealand.

We flew from Hamilton Island to Brisbane then from Brisbane to Auckland yesterday – both flights from hell, largely because the planes were both FREEZING and because there were SCREAMING toddlers (that’s an understatement) around us on both flights.  Yikes.  We were happy when we made the HARD landing in Auckland.

It was late – actually 1 am (although 10:00  “our” time).  We had rented postage-sized airport hotel rooms for the short night, got up, and went back to the airport to pick up our rental car.  We then headed towards Auckland’s City Centre to our AirBnB.  Our new 2-3-day apartment does have a beautiful view and is perfectly located, but there is no air conditioning (nor any heat from what we can tell), so the rather small place is somewhat hot.  Happily, it is only a two-night stop.

After getting something to eat, we walked around the port area and spent some time in the Maritime Museum.  We loved it.  It started with the Polynesians (Maoris) coming here in their boats, and the museum did a nice job of explaining their journeys, their boats, and the ways they navigated. It then moved to the explorers coming – Captain Cook, Tasman, and others, as well as their ships and struggles.  Captain Cook figured out the way to remedy the scurvy that caused many sailors to die.  He made sure they had sauerkraut and limes.  No one died.  Not sure how he figured that out, unless it was all guess work.

This is a small replica of the kind of boat that the Maori 

used for inter-island movement.  It could hold up to 150 people.

The museum had a section on the coming of the immigrants via boat, and approximately 5000  Scandinavians came around the 1870s (called “Skandies).  Who knew?  They were hired to clear 300,000 acres of dense forest for new roads and rail, and when the project was completed, they were given 40 acres of land.  Lots of other groups came too, and the museum brought the sailing stories right up to the present, most especially to 1995 when New Zealand won the America’s Cup.  Overall, it was an excellent museum with excellent exhibits and all kinds of examples of boats.  A good afternoon.

Cook's journal and maps were amazing.

Times change!  So do ships! 

The America's Cup is big in New Zealand, and in 1995, they won!

We came back to the apartment to relax and to shower (felt so good), and then headed to another restaurant on Gil’s list – Soul.  We had a fabulous meal – the best yet.  Came home early and dived into bed for a good night’s sleep.