We expected temperate weather (high 60s and mid 70s) but found temps in the 80s with high humidity. Lana has already cut off a pair of her jeans and purchased a short-sleeved T shirt to cool off and my long-sleeved Ts are pretty hot. Oh well!
After arriving in Auckland at 7 am we checked into the hotel, left our luggage, and Ubered to the Auckland Museum. They have a remarkable collection of Maori artifacts including an elaborately carved Meeting House and huge 100-warrior wooden canoe.
We were very fortunate that our visit coincided with a special exhibition of wildlife photographs curated by the British Natural History Museum from submittals for their annual competition. Here are a couple of shots we thought you might enjoy:
The raccoon chose the Ford for her babies and home because the hole in the windshield was the perfect size for her but too small to allow a coyote to enter and attack. The derelict car seat in India becomes a “monkey condo”. The third image is taken from a drone high above a shallow lake in East Africa that momentarily became visible as the gargantuan flock of flamingos parted.
We had two nights here in Auckland before driving to Russell, on the Bay of Islands. More to come.