February 7, 2016. Maori encounter!

LOCATION:  Auckland, New Zealand with friends

WEATHER:  Very nice. Highs in 70s

George and I spent the day on the town.  Ken dropped us off at the Auckland Museum, located on a hill overlooking the city.  We toured the section on Maori history and culture, then watched an excellent Maori performance.

They sang and danced some of their ancient songs and chants, telling us stories about their history and culture.

They are very talented

Then afterwards, we posed with the warrior actors.

We toured the rest of the museum which included an interesting special exhibit on the 75  years history of Air New Zealand.

From the museum, we headed down to the harbor via Queen Street, the main commercial thoroughfare.  Lots and lots of Asian restaurants...Chinese, Japanese, Korean, most closed for Waitangi Day and the start of Chinese New Tear.

We had  lunch in a pub in an alley off Queen Street and people-watched.  Then to the harbor where we picked up a ferry to Devonport, a very chic suburb.  There, We walked along the streets packed with interesting sidewalk cafés and shops.

Back to downtown Auckland, a huge cruise ship was getting ready to leave.

For dinner, our friends made a ground lamb and veg mix, delicious.  Sides were quinoa and Greek salad.

In the evening we watched the final final episode of Downtown Abbey.  I have really enjoyed that series.

February 6, 2016. Waitangi Day

LOCATION:  Staying with friends in Auckland, New Zealand

WEATHER:  Rain.  Highs in 70s

Today is Waitangi Day, a national holiday celebrating the day the peace treaty was signed by the natives, the Maori, and the British.  

We went to one of the local festivals.  There was music, kid rides and food tents.

The festival was at one of the Maori settlements.  This is their special meeting room.

We were given a very interesting tour by a local Maori woman.  The decorative poles are similar to totem poles.  This fellow's private parts were hidden for the festival since there were a lot of children running around.

Unfortunately, it started to pour.  We ducked under a tent and listened to music.

We tried some Maori food for lunch.....mussels fritters, mussels in a fry bread sandwich, and seafood chowder.

On our way home, we stopped at a pub to dry out.  We could choose between local rugby or cricket on TV.  

For dinner, we strolled to a nearby harbor side Japanese restaurant.  George had his favorite, yaki donburi...

We rounded out the holiday by watching an excellent Maori movie, "Once Were Warriors".  

February 5, 2016. Back to Auckland

LOCATION:  From Waiheke Island to Auckland, New Zealand

WEATHER:  Light showers, highs in 70s

We took a walk on the beach and had lunch on the terrace overlooking the bay.

 

Then to the ferry to return to Auckland.

Tomorrow is a national holiday, so the ferries are packed with locals going on a long weekend.  We saw venues being set up for weddings on the islands.  

We picked up fish at a "take-away" for dinner.  Salad as a side.

February 4, 2016. "Waiheke Island, Island of Wine". Am I in heaven or what?

LOCATION:  Waiheke Island, near Auckland, New Zealand

WEATHER:  Superb.  Partly cloudy. Highs in upper 70s

Waiheke island is nicknamed the Island of Wine.  Adding vineyards to an already beautiful island is just over the top!

We started the day with a hike.  The island is quite hilly, so there are beautiful ocean views from the hilltops. Here are 3 hikers....friends Lynette, Ken and George

And then Lynette and Ken with me.

After the hike and lunch, we hopped in the car owned by the homeowners where we are staying, and made a circular route to the more agricultural part of the island.  The hillsides are covered with vineyards, cattle and sheep.  We stopped at this beachside winery.....

We tasted some very nice wines, both red and white.  The winery is right on the beach.

Back home, we prepared dinner for friends hopping over from Auckland.

Our dinner feast was  grilled lamb sausages, lamb stir-fry, salad and roasted potatoes, all complemented with some of the Waiheke wines we bought today.  

February 3, 2016. Off to Waiheke Island

LOCATION:  Waiheke Island, New Zealand

WEATHER:  Sunny and nice. Highs around 80

We are off to Waiheke where our friends' sister owns a beach house.  We took a ferry from the Auckland Harbor and enjoyed a spectacular view of the city.

 

After about a 30-minute ride on a fast ferry, we arrived on the island.  We hopped on the awaiting bus and rode around the island to our destination, Onetangi Bay.  The house is just steps from the beach.  The patio has windows right through to the bay, which leads out to the Pacific.

It is a beautiful house that they loan to family and friends, and also rent it out.  Open floor plan...

After a nap and a walk on the beach,  we strolled a short distance to Charley Farley's restaurant for dinner.  It was really hopping!  We grabbed the last table.  We split "salt and "pepper" squid.  It was the best squid I have ever eaten, very tender.   Our hosts, Ken and Lynette.... 

George had a New Zealand beer and I had a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  I see a pattern emerging!

 

The band drew a crowd mixed with tourists and locals...

February 2, 2016. First day in Auckland

LOCATION:  Auckland, New Zealand in the home of friends Ken and Lynette Norton

WEATHER:  Very nice.  Mostly sunny. Highs around 80

We met Ken 40 years ago (yikes!) when we were living in Japan.  He worked for the US Embassy.  George and I were married under Japanese law, and Ken was the US official that registered the marriage under American law.  After working in Japan, he was stationed in many other parts of the world.  He married Lynette, a Kiwi, and settled here.  We have kept in touch with him over the years.

It is wonderful to be staying with them.  Auckland has many little "villages" within the city.  They live a block from the harbor.  We walked along the beach to one of the villages, stopping at one of the ubiquitous coffee shops.  All of the restaurants are open-air and lots of good-looking people are out and  about.

After lunch on their deck, we took a ride around the city.  This is a memorial park with a nice view of the city.

There are lots and lots of Chinese visitors.

We shopped on our way hone, picking up some Australian craft beers.  This one is called "Good George".  We had to buy it.

  Back home, we relaxed on the deck with Ken.

Lynette fixed a nice baked chicken with vegetables dish for dinner. Then, we watched the news on TV, including all the latest from the US election .....so embarrassing.  

February 1, 2016. Sizzlin' ' Brisbane

LOCATION:  Brisbane, Australia then Auckland, New Zealand

After our 14 hour flight from Los Angeles,  we landed in Brisbane at 7:00 AM.  We have a 11-hour layover, and didn't want to just sit in the Brisbane airport all day.  So, after a 2-hour process clearing customs and immigration, we stored our backpacks in a locker and took the train into downtown Brisbane, pronounced BRISbin. 

The heat hit us like an oven.  Of course, it is summer here.  Brisbane is particularly humid and hot...today's high around 100.  

Brisbane is located on a long river that joins the ocean.  Once downtown, we hopped on a free commuter ferry that goes up and down the river.  There is a lot of river traffic.  This is another type of ferry.  

We were on the top deck, watching the view.  This is the less glamorous free ferry that we rode...

Brisbane seems quite prosperous.  Lots of building construction.

We walked around downtown, with lovely pedestrian-only streets.  We were dying of thirst, so stopped at a bar full of character for an Australian beer.  

My only criteria for a lunch spot was air conditioning.  We found a cute place and  split a lamb burger.  Yum!

The heat was just crippling, but the locals don't seem to mind.  Women look very chic in cute summer dresses and heels.  The outdoor cafés were bustling.  Lots of coffee places (and happily none were Starbucks!)

We took the train back to the airport, and caught our 6:30 PM flight to New Zealand.  It is so fun people-watching.  There are tons of Chinese tourists, and signage is all in Chinese.  Also, people from Fiji, Singapore, Japan, and  New Guinea.  

Our flight to Auckland was 3 hours and we lost 3 hours in time zone changes, arriving at 12:45 AM.   We thought food would be served, but had to make some Pringles snack our dinner.  Our friends kindly picked us up at the airport and brought us to their home.

After a glorious shower, we flopped into bed.