When I landed in Auckland a couple of days ago, all I knew about New Zealand was a few simple facts:
- NZ has a storied mountaineering tradition (from Sir Edmund Hillary to Rob Hall)
- Middle Earth and the Shire (home of the Hobbits) could be found tucked into its bucolic hillside pastures
- The indigenous people of NZ, the Maori are fond of tattoos
- NZ has lots of sheep and the local men seem quite fond of them.
Downtown Auckland at sunset on a cloudy day from the top of Mount Eden
Now after just four short days, I am an expert on the Kiwi. Or, at least know enough to make an ass of myself in the local pubs. But a few short facts before I begin with my observations. First, this is a fairly small country of only 3 million people. Second, NZ is also only recently populated as things go – the Maori only arrived here in around the 12th century from the Pacific Island of Hawaiki (not to be confused with Hawaii). And the English did not arrive until the 17th century. I guess until the Maori the island was inhabited by Hobbits and ugly little Kiwi birds. Third, the country is made up of two islands. And Fourth the government takes protecting the local people, fauna and flora as a top priority.
First breakfast in NZ at the Sheraton
First, upon our flight’s arrival, we all had to stay onboard the plane in our seats until the hazmat crew came thru the plane and sprayed us and our luggage down with either insecticide or a herbicide or a brew of both plus a healthy dose of penicillin to protect the locals from any cooties we might be carrying along. Once we were properly deloused we were finally allowed to go thru passport control, collect our checked bags and subjected to a cross examination by a very polite customs clerk about any food, drink, or medicine we might be bringing into paradise to corrupt the land or the people. Who knew beef jerky was so dangerous?
Soul Restaurant home of an incredible baked snapper lunch
Fortunately, I am now quite sterile and free of all living micro creatures, my carry on and checked bag has been cleansed of any alien larva it may have collected as I’ve traveled the universe and I have been deemed worthy of a two week visit to paradise. And I’m feeling quite special.
But in the end, it has all been worth the long flight, the indignity of mass delousing, and the St. Peter at the Gates of Heaven interrogation because the country is a paradise. First stop was the Viaduct area of central Auckland and a wonderful morning spent exploring the Maritime Museum, the harbor, and a very tasty baked snapper lunch followed by a peanut butter ice cream taco covered in a sea salt caramel.
The yacht that Sir Peter Blake sailed to back to back America’s Cup Victories
The highlight of the Maritime Museum was the exhibits related to Sir Peter Blake (NZ folk hero and and yachtsman) who led New Zealand to back to back victories in the America’s Cup. His list of yachting victories from the 1989 Whitebread Round the World Race to the winning the Jules Verne Trophy setting the fastest time for circumnavigating the globe to winning the trophy four straight years has earned Blake special hero status in this small country. Sadly, Blake lost his life to a pirate’s bullet on the Amazon but his legend lives on.
The view of Auckland Harbor from the steps of the War Memorial Museum
From the Maritime Museum, I traveled just a few short miles to the War Memorial Museum and learned about many more of this country’s heroes that have fought at our country’s side in every conflict since the first World War. From WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Kosovo, and Iraq New Zealand has been at our side fighting and dying for the same principles our fathers and grandfathers fought to preserve.
The War Memorial Museum
But interestingly, the War Museum offered much more than simply a tribute to New Zealand’s fallen and veterans. It also contained an extremely educational and entertaining display on Maori history, culture, and customs.
After spending most of the day in museums I hiked up Mount Eden (a spent volcano within Auckland’s city limits) to see the sunset over Auckland’s Viaduct. Unfortunately, it was a cloudy day so no sunset but a nice hike and view regardless.
The Burbs of Auckland at sunset on a cloudy day from the top of Mount Eden
This post was getting a little long so day two will have to wait until tomorrow…