Auckland (edit)

Haere Maere!  /Welcome to New Zealand.....  Most of yesterday was spent in a kind of Jet Lagged coma.  We just felt so bad and didn't have a clue about what day it was never mind what time it was.  Oh well after 36 hours we have figured out that our room card operates the lights, TV and the "lift" (elevator).  The hotel knows us gals well......

Our hotel is connected to the Sky Tower the tallest building in the southern hemisphere.  Last night (Sunday) we were treated to a Pacific seafood buffet atop of the SkyTower.  None of us had a clue what we were eating but in the end we reallly really enjoyed the dessert table.  Bungee jumping is hot here and we can see them jumping off the tower (1,000 ft) from our hotel.  Who knows maybe this might be something Dorothy and I try (yah, right).....

Breathtaking New Zealand

Today (Monday) we had a city tour and a trip to Mount Eden with a stunning view of Auckland the volcanic cone which dominates the inner harbor.  Cows were grazing in the pastures up there -- they eat in one end and comes out other end (of course we had to watch where we stepped).  A vist to Kelly Tarlton's underwater World and Antarctic Encounter was our last stop of the morning.  What a fabulous exhibit and saw alot of Penquins in their natural habitat.

25th of September was the last time one of the volcanoes errupted in Auckland.  Glad we waited a few days to begin our journey.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch a few blocks from hotel -- sunny and warm when we walked in but rain started to fall while in restaurant.  Dorothy and I walked to the nearby park and due to the downpours which followed we held up in the local university building for an hour.

Tomorrow we head off to Waitomo Glowworm caves and to Rotorua to NZ's largest geyser.  At night we enjoy a Maori (aboriginal culture) Hangi dinner, concert so will be another fun filled day.

The gals will have alot of stories to share and have been journaling every day so will have a novel to share with you.  We are beginning to have a reputation.  Gee can you believe that?????????

Greetings from the kiwi country -- love their accents.

Karen and Dorothy