New Zealand - Day 1 Auckland

New Zealand Geology https://teara.govt.nz/en/geology-overview

Today's adventures consisted primarily of hanging out with Tash and her family, walking around the neighborhood, then exploring some of Auckland. But the main objective today was keep cat awake! Because if I were to fall asleep, then any efforts towards getting me on the new timezone would have fallen apart. 

So based on local New Zealand time I've been up since about 2 a.m. It's now 7 and I'm hoping to stay up until 9. That way I get a full night's sleep and tomorrow we explore the volcanoes and beaches in the local area.

This morning Virginia peanuts and American beef jerky found their way into New Zealand hands and tummies! Bridge NZ you can continue to be proud of their peanuts, but I know I can do better on those two peanuts in the jerky. So that I've added to my list for Christmas. I I'm not satisfied with just giving the Virginia Diner peanuts, I want the Giant Virginia peanuts to send over period otherwise, they have not seen what Virginia is capable of.

Walked the dog around the neighbourhood, which also consisted of seeing the New Zealand Prime Minister's house and getting videoed by the Google Maps vehicle. I'm not sure how long it takes them to upload, but we were not in the picture when I checked it this afternoon.

Lovely lunch of sliced tomatoes and Chatter on toast. I had never fart I've just cooking the tomato on to toast that way but it was really amazing duh duh duh and the girls and I love to meet is so this will be added to my list of food things. 😊  Tomato cheese toast. 🍅🧀

Got a chance to see Eloise's primary school... Just like us, new school system here has had to bring in manufactured housing to supplement classroom space. I would say that their manufactured housing is a slight improvement over our trailers period but the overall problem is the same.. That too many students, too little classroom space, not enough for site by a government planning commission.

Stopped by the mall to get certain provisions that were missed like my belt and the correct plug adapter. I had gotten the one for European not for Australian and New Zealand plugs.

Also picked up supplies for dinner that at at lasagna! A global favorite!

Road the bus downtown to see some of the architecture and sites of Auckland. My Friend, Tash, and her daughter's Isabella (14) and Eloise (11 - almost 12) were with us. The girls were very much amused by a bus tour that had been created in Auckland to take people to the 14 Top Attractions. Apparently there was much controversy if there ARE 14 major attractions in Auckland (the city, not the gorgeous surrounding extinct volcanoes, harbors, bays, etc.). While there may be some disagreement if this is the case, I would agree that the bus tour/website might be a very good place to start finding a list of things to do if you were exploring plans for a trip.

As it was for me, I was PERFECTLY happy to ride around on the bus and let them be my guides.  I was much too exhausted to want to do anything more.  So while there may have been questions about the 14 Amazing Sites, I satisfied myself with picking out examples of what I thought were AMAZING Architecture.  And at the minimum - just really beautiful buildings.  Riding a bus around is a good way to do this.  There is a $12 day pass available.

The picture above is a public toilet I just thought was the most beautiful piece of architecture for a public bathroom.  Also amusing - but practical - is the fact that there's an app for that.  Finding public toilets in Auckland.  Who woulda thought?!

St Paul's Cathedral, Auckland, is an Anglican church with really beautiful architectures.  The rose window (close up to the left) is a dominant feature which I am sure is meant to represent the holy trinity by the symbol in the center, but as with many ancient holy symbols there is some overlap in the pagan past with a Celtic symbol called the triscele.  I'd been familiar with it as "mother, maiden, crone" (the phases of life) but there are also links to the elements, planes of existence, and solar/lunar time elapse for seasonal transitions.

The architecture is reminiscent of the Medieval European past.  The cathedral was built between 1915-1919, when it was consecrated.  There was some controversy among the parishoners prior to construction, as the Vestry was eliminated due to some early embezzlement.  

The Smith E. Caughey Limited building.  I would not guess this was a department store... or even the offices for a department store.  However, it does look like one of those from the PBS series, Mr. Selfridge.  Personally, I think it looks like an ideal scene for the New Zealand episode of the next Ghostbusters movie!  😄😄😄

The SKY TOWER in Auckland is DEFINITELY one of the major attractions.    We went up but I did NOT jump, which is available for a price.  Amazing view of the surrounding city, bay and numerous volcanoes (volcanoes here are inactive, though not all are considered officially extinct).

We Ice cream with the girls at the cafe at the top of the tower. They have a very good selection of flavors
The Doris Plum was divine - wish I could have had a chance to try all of them. 😋

Islands in background are all volcanoes, same with the large hills around the city.  We're surrounded by ancient volcanoes, but there is generally no concern about those or the occasional earthquakes.  While earthquakes occur at the ocean floor subduction zones frequently, very few are felt here.  There have been major volcanoes in New Zealand over the years - mostly on the south island, but I will get to learn more about those later.

Road home on the bus again - picked up Tash's husband, Todd.  Some political discussion around dinner as we ate Tash's wonderful Lasagna.  Concerns and sadness that Americans seem to equate Socialism with Communism, while they're every bit as Capitalist as we are -- they just want to make sure the people in lesser circumstances are cared for and that they really consider universal heathcare is a Good thing that should be a right to everyone.  As with all political structures, they agree that nobody has all the answers for the things that are imperfect.  But that's why we all talk and have constructive conversations about these things!  Personally, I love that their Prime Minister lives so close by in a neighborhood, they have the same struggles with building adequate schooling, and the same challenges with how to deal with these random terrorist events.  A weapons buy-back is currently underway in New Zealand in response to the event.

Sleep will be equally amazing tonight.  I've been up far too long.