I don’t think jet lag has affected me on this trip – not yet anyway! Now, whether that’s just because I keep going in one direction or it’s all in my head I’m not too sure! Anyway I was awake stupidly early this morning so just decided to get organised and head out.

The wee place I found for coffee yesterday was open again this morning (The Coffee Nook – just off of Queen Street) and so I had another very nice americano to start me off on my walk up to Auckland Museum. It does make me wonder what on earth we did before google maps on our phones – it is just so easy now. Mind you, I did wonder where on earth it was taking me as I wandered all round the grounds of Auckland hospital this morning. I don’t think it added any time to my walk, but it was quiet and kept me off of the main road!

The museum is at the top of a park area called Auckland Domain which is a beautiful park area. The park is beautiful, with lots of facilities and the views from the top are just stunning.

The wintergarden in the park has a couple of glasshouses and I got just a wee bit carried away taking pictures of some plants I’d seen before and some that pretty, I just hadn’t a clue what the actually were!

The lily pond very much reminded me if the one in the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh.

On to the museum which, funnily enough reminded me of the NMS in Chambers St. Like that museum I probably could have spent all day here!

The main reason for my visit to the museum was the fact they had a Maori cultural experience and boy I am so pleased I did it. If you ever come to New Zealand I recommend it for everyone. The ‘cast’ is only seven people and the perform various Maori celebrations in a small intimate theatre. I could not fail to be moved and I’ll admit tears were running down my face for most of the 30 minutes. What I loved about this was that when it started, nobody had any idea of what was going on but the lead female took us back and explained everything step by step. Unless you were there, it is really so difficult to explain, but were were taught certain Maori hand movements, what certain celebrations mean, what the Haka is actually all about (and no, it’s not just to terrify their rugby opponents) and why Captain Cook and his men took the Maori welcome as a threat. What was made very clear to us all was that no videos could be taken and photographs could only be taken at certain points. The front two rows in the auditorium were covered in black sheeting as those rows were saved for the Maori ancestors. You know me, I’m quite funny about taking photographs in certain places and so I didn’t take any, however, I did buy a book afterwards to learn more about the Maori culture.

The other draw for me here was the war memorial in the museum. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know much about New Zealand’s involvement in WWI and WWII, never mind all other conflicts they have been involved in. The galleries were very interesting, as were the rooms with the walls covered with the names of those New Zealanders who lost their lives during the world wars.

What I was shocked and dismayed by, was the behaviour of, most children, but some adults too in these galleries. The chatting, whistling and shouting was disgraceful. Not to mention the child who pulled on one of the hanging flags and hit under it. His parents were way up in front and so my “what on earth do you think you are doing” went ignored, I don’t think English was his first language or perhaps he just chose to ignore me as did the shouting adult when I asked him if he knew where he was. I do think maybe a member of staff should be in these areas to remind people to show their respect. I know they shouldn’t have to tell people how to behave, but clearly a lot of people don’t know how to!

It reminds me of being in Pearl Harbor a few weeks ago, going out to the Arizona memorial and being told to be quiet and respectful as this was a war grave etc but then having the park ranger should every 15 minutes “your boat is on the way back, line up on the right hand side”… I thought that was slightly ironic really!

I think I need to get myself organised for bed, but tomorrow I will tell you of my amazing casino win!