New Zealand - Auckland

Auckland reminds me a lot of San Francisco and the Bay Area. It has the same kind of temperature, transportation system, sights, and sounds. There are plenty of hills, but none as steep as the ones in San Francisco. In fact, those cranes that seem to have inspired George Lucas for Star Wars were also sitting in the waters of Auckland. The people here have been especially pleasant and generous, making the experience all the more enjoyable.

Our lodgings is situated in the domain section of town. There’s a large park nearby, as well as the museum, Auckland University, and a hospital. After breakfast, we headed over to the museum. The museum is composed of three major themes: the wars, natural history, and Maori history. The Maori artifacts and history is amazing. Their houses and boats are incredibly ornate. We watched a short cultural presentation of Maori song and dance.

After the museum we were set out to explore the city and its many shops. Tomorrow we leave for Hamilton, and the many more adventures which lie ahead.