Fri 19 Aug day 56 Our last day in New Zealand!

Our last full day in New Zealand and a bit of indigenous culture is on the agenda. We have been amazed at how little "Maori" we have been exposed to - almost as if it is suppressed in some areas - with only the stories and legends to explain geographical features or names of places being really evident. We head to the Auckland Museum and explore the Maori Galleries before watching a rather sterile but still good fun "Maori Cultural Experience" show - some traditional dances, songs, demonstrations of pastimes, explanations of language and most pleasingly the Haka!

The rest of the day was spent with the gorgeous Hannah and James (whom we met in Maqai, Fiji) who meet us at the Museum and whisk us off to show us a piece of "their" Auckland. The girls run at full pelt down the hill and greet them with enormous hugs and open arms. We cross to the North Shore and up the hill in Devonport before wandering along the beach in the sun collecting shells and llittle crabs along the way. The girls were SO excited to see them and we spend our time together talking non stop reminiscing about our experiences since we were last together.

The weather is glorious so after a quick stop to see James' house we drive to Mission Bay for an ice cream, a quick beer, a game of chess and a beautiful sunset. 

Supper is eaten at the mainly Asian Albert Street food court - where there is such a choice of  delicious, cheap and freshly cooked dishes and options we all struggle with what to choose! We say our sad goodbyes, it was a fantastic afternoon with truly lovely people.

We head back to the Jucy Hotel to pack away the cold weather clothes and prepare for the heat of Australia - flip flops here we come!