Friday 25 January 2008

Auckland, New Zealand




We're back! After a nice visit with family and friends in California and frantically submitting MBA and teaching applications for next year...we are back on the road.

We are now in the beautiful country of New Zealand. We managed to meet up with Alan and Athena once again and we have been exploring Auckland. We arrived here on Tuesday and Stephen and I walked up to the top of Mt. Eden for an amazing 360 degree view of the 'City of Sails'. It was spectacular. Stephen, however, noticed the darkening sky and suggested we head back to the hostel. Unfortunately, we didn't quite make it and we were caught in a brief, tropical torrential rain storm arriving at the hostel absolutely drenched.

On Wednesday, the weather wasn't great either so we decided to head to the Auckland museum (apparently there was a cyclone passing through). It was really good. I especially enjoyed the Natural History section with all the insects and animals because I have not fully grown up yet. I also liked the simulation of a volcano eruption in Auckland. Hopefully, the simulation is the only one we will really experience.

The best part, though, was the Maori cultural show. I am including some video of the haka...the American audience might not know what this is because they do not watch rugby...the haka is the traditional chant the Maori warriors did to intimidate their enemies. It is very intimidating, especially when they are sticking their tongues out as their eyeballs are bulging. I am including a little video performance (please ignore the heads of the people in front of us)! Enjoy!

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