AUCKLAND

This is a city that surrounds the water. Lots of inlets, bays isthmuses (?)
There are sailboats, luxury liners, cargo ships and everything in between. I've taken ferries to two different destinations and the system is wonderful!
Yesterday, I went to a suburb called Birkenhead. My goal was to see Kauri trees. They only grow in the northern part of the North Island. Enormous trunks with a frilly growth of leaves atop massive branches. Very cartoon like if you see the right specimen. We walked in a nature reserve (the city is full of natural areas to walk in) that was full of birds and little waterfalls and plants I have never seen before. I've seen kingfishers, Pukekos (lots of them) fantails and a teeny tiny gray wren thingy.
Even walking through the suburbs itself was fun, looking at the gardens. People have grapefruit trees and avocados in their yards.
Today was an excursion out to Waihiki Island, a 45 minute ride by ferry out toward the ocean. A little jewel of a tourist island, with a 1 1/2 hour bus tour at the other end. We followed that up with a great fish and Kumera fries (a south seas sweet potato). We were kept company by Alfred Hitchkock's birds, screaming around us till we finished and then squabbling over the leftovers.
I've discovered a great soda here, Schweppes lemon, lime and bitters. MMMMM good!
I stood on the upper deck of the ferry going and coming back, probably got a bit of sun and windburn, but it being the first all sun day I've had since arriving, I wasn't going to waste it.
Tomorrow, we will see Kelly Tarlton aquarium. It has sharks and penguins (one not food for the other) and will enjoy that because it's supposed to "hose down" all day.
Friday is a trip to the farm of my brother in law's sister??!!!
Sheep, cattle and whatever, with a walk in gumboots.
The appartment I'm staying in in Auckland is right on the waterfront. Very swish, with great views of the harbour and loads of yachts. The city has a very vibrant waterfront scene, both for entertainment (lots and lots of bars) and for condos. There is a wonderful fish market where we bought some tuna skewers for a dinner one night.
My days end pretty early, with a dinner cooked by my sister and myself or my brother in law and his daughter. In bed with my book (Rohinton Mistrie book, "Family Matters") by 9:30.
So exciting!