Around Auckland

Auckland is known as the City of Sails. A third of the population has a boat. Turns out this is the beginning of a 4 day holiday so folks were out and about despite 35 mile an hour wind gusts. We had a bus tour of the city and a visit to the War Museum. Despite its name it had non-war collections including an extensive Maori exhibit. Of note was an authentic 200 year old Maori canoe sail -- the only one surviving. It is on loan from the British museum.

At a local park I witnessed New Zealand exuberance. Pic below.

In the evening we had a demonstration of the Haka. Most people are familiar with the Haka done before the Black's rugby games but the Haka also serves as a story telling medium, a welcome dance and a prelude to battle.Read more