Day 10
I have a preference for using a Hop On Hop Off bus in places where I don't have specific destination in mind and so it was today. After a late breakfast, it was a comfortable 15 minute walk to downtown Auckland to redeem the tickets and board the bus at Stop 1 (of 14 in total) which took us around the city with commentary. Like Sydney, so many art deco buildings from days gone of British rule... We decided to get off at the Auckland Museum, which was originally built as the War Memorial after WWI but then was extended in 1957 and turned into the Museum.
An interesting 1.5 hours, which started with an impressive AV presentation of how NZ rose from the oceans due to massive volcanic activity. Obviously, it was big on the Maori culture and fauna. I was particularly interested in the number and size variations on the various "creepy crawlies" it has!
The country also had the largest number of flightless bird species but that has diminished for many reasons, with so many extinct species unfortunately. One of those species was the Moa, a giant bird. There was also skeletons of the 2 largest dinosaurs that trod the NZ earth. There was also a Gallery that celebrated the local arts community and these glass sculptures took my fancy...
The next stop we got off at was Parnell, trendoid city. After a walk about and down the main shopping strip, we chose a rather nice little food court that had a variety of choices plus a bar. We had a share plate of Pulled Pork taco's and corn chips. They were yummy and definitely hit the spot!
Back on the bus and the next few stops were along the harbour, which is very nice. The photo is looking back towards the city across Okahu Bay. After enjoying a sit down, a leisurely feed and a cool drink, back on the bus to arrive back at downtown Auckland. Being the weekend, St Patricks Day was being celebrated a few days early and in the Queens St Mall, there was lots happening as part of it. Of course there was the obligatory Irish music and dancing...
A walk back along the waterfront, this time looking in various souvenir outlets where a sheep magnet for the drinks fridge, a little sheep for the shadow box and a Santa sheep for the Xmas tree were all obtained. Now the interloper in the photo is the glass frog I mentioned in Day 9, but thought I should include. It stands about 20cm tall and I think, will look great on our drink trolley.
After a brief rest in the room, we headed up to the Rooftop Bar for our free drink but tonight, Di preferred a cocktail that wasn't part of the deal, a Marguerita, which meant we had to pay for it but no issue, it meant I could have 2 free beers :). When it arrived, we both thought it was sized for people drinking in a bar in Hobbiton (LMAO)... After that, we decided to eat in the hotel's restaraunt as we were both a little "worse for wear" and then off to bed.
