January 14, 2014 (Auckland, New Zealand)

In Auckland, New Zealand back on our trip again. To start off our trip we woke up from our almost 12 hour flight from San Francisco. As soon as we got off the plane we wondered around the airport then traveled to where we would rent the car. Getting out of the parking lot was an adventure itself: with the car be a manual, the steering wheel on the right, and driving on the left side of the road. When we got to our b&b we were able to meet our host and see her wonderful home. After dropping off our cloths we drove to the Marina where we walked to a hip delicious breakfast spot named Best Ugly Bagels. 

The Maritime Museum was interesting. The museum talked about the Maori (the native people of New Zealand) and the big ships used for the big race the America’s Cup. The Maori came from northern Asia all the way through Philippines and to New Zealand and also to some other islands. The British then started to colonize New Zealand after they signed a treaty with the Maori which most countries didn't do. Most countries just killed or kicked the native people out.The boat part of the museum talked about Black Magic, the big boat that won the America’s Cup which was displayed in the museum because it won the race.

After going to the museum we took a ferry over to Devonport, another part of the northern island of New Zealand. In Devonport we rode bikes, visited a local restaurant, and biked to some beaches. My favorite part of being in Devonport was simply just biking around because I enjoyed seeing the neighborhood’s and comparing it to other places.

Later, after the ferry back we decided to walk down the shopping strip where we bought a mini Rugby ball and a Jade neckless. The Jade neckless was designed after the shape of the blade of a maori ax, and the Rugby ball was an All Blacks Rugby ball, the best Rugby team in the world!

When we got home we talked with Gill for a while then got dressed for dinner. We ate at Ponsonby Central, it was very unique. As soon as we got home we talked a little more with Gill, and got settled in.