A WALKABOUT IN AUCKLAND:

 A WALKABOUT IN AUCKLAND: 

We had a nice breakfast at the Tuck Stop Bakery next to our lodging. 

The Kiwi Trail -
I know many cities in the US have large painted  pieces of art adorning their streets. In Cheyenne we have Cowboy boots, and I know Marysville, Kansas has black squirrel statutes. Here in Auckland just a few days ago they opened the Kiwi Trail.

The Kiwi Art Trail is a collection of 20+ kiwi sculptures that have been turned into bespoke pieces of art by talented New Zealand artists. 

 

The Kiwi Trail is sponsored by an insurance company and Save the Kiwi. The Kiwi Art Trail is a free, family-friendly public art trail for all to enjoy.

When the trail ends, the sculptures will be auctioned and proceeds will go towards kiwi conservation. Should one have a Kiwi they fancy it can be purchased for $10,000 NZD. I measured and they will not fit in our bags.

 

After completing the Kiwi Trail we found our way to the 2 Dollar + Things store. (Think Dollar Store). Fun to go to and we found a tiny stuffed Kiwi that when pressed sounds like a Kiwi.

 

 

Next we needed lunch and the Good Dog Bad Dog was where we planned to go. Not an easy task as it is sort of hidden in a mall food court. We found the dog good, condiments fresh and a very good bun. 

 


Then off to: 
The New Zealand Maritime Museum:
On our arrival day we walked past the The New Zealand Maritime Museum. We stopped inside to check the hours and get a recommendation as to how much time to explore the facility. 

I was hooked when I noticed there was a temporary exhibit currently showing called Into Ocean & Ice. 

Here five artists interpret the remote cold Antarctic ice, taking in Ernest Shackleton’s epic Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914-1917) to the Weddell and Ross seas, and modern-day South Georgia in the South Atlantic Ocean. 

This was a highlight of our visit to the New Zealand Maritime Museum. One Italian artist Paola Folicalidi Suh’s work was AMAZING!! This exhibit captured the heart and soul of the Trans Antarctic Expedition, from the harsh environment to the spirit of the expedition team.  

The New Zealand Maritime Museum is proud of it’s Māori name: Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa.The name was gifted by Sir Hugh Kāwharu, meaning “the dwelling of Tangaroa”. Based on the ancient Māori and Polynesian understanding of Tangaroa, the creator of the waves and life within the oceans whose breathing makes the tides ebb and flow. In Māori lore, Tangaroa makes his home beneath the sea and is vividly described in traditional whakairo (wood carvings) and ta moko (living skin art).

This personification of the sea and its elements have meaning found in the combined power of waves, wind, moon and stars  - these are the forces of nature which guide all mariners past, present and future. 

Tomorrow we are headed to Tiritiri Matangi and need to pack a lunch. We made a stop at the Metro store for supples. The folks at Metro are getting to know us there. 

Back to the room to get organized for tomorrow. 

As we really enjoyed Good George and returned for dinner.  

They have a very nice stout and Lynn had a plum cider. The squid was very tender, breaded nicely and the chili sauce was spicy and flavorful. The duck spring rolls were nice and fresh. The Good George is a great place.