We set off for Sky City, but it came over cloudy. We decided that there was plenty of time to catch a clear sky later. The alternative was Kelly Tarlton's Unwater World, which was on the Tamaki Road back. We were among the first to arrive at nine o'clock. (It gets much too busy later - especially on a wet day.) The first part of the adventure is the Antarctic display which is a 'snowcat' train taking you around the penguin pool. Next there is a model of Scott's base. This is followed by the usual coffee bar, but this was near a very large open tank of sting rays. I sat for the tourist survey. (What did we think of our accommodation? Very good value for money.) Then came the main tunnel aquarium with sharks and other large fish. I did not do too well on the photography - low light and fast moving fish. Then out through some of the more usual tropical tank; including the Nimo one. Invariably through the shop and out.
Eel face
Zoe enjoyed the stop off at the Mission Bay park and it was home to a more relaxed afternoon.
The evening was very different for Ian and I. It was the first game of the season and was betweem Aucklands 'Blues' and the away team 'Chiefs'. Apparantly there are so few top league teams in NZ that we were watching the best, which included a number of 'All Black' players.
The pirate ship
Cheers
Car parking is a night mare. As early as we were it meant a long walk, mostly up hill. However, the bar not far from the entrance to the ground was a good refreshment stop. It was basically a high street 'barn'. It was packed full of non-smokers. There were all ages, sexes and even opposing supporters. There were even Kiwi males drinking lemonade. It was a very friendly atmosphere. How different from a Premier League match in the UK.
When they say take your partners, they are serious
The same friendliness was evident at the ground and it was set for a good family evening. The match started with the cheer leaders and entertainment provided by a pirate ship which exploded noisily and flammably as it went around the ground. I am afraid that I could not really follow the match. The first half seemed slow and well matched. (The cheer leaders did their thing a lot to ease the boredom.) By half time we (The Blues) were losing. There was a change of pitch after half time. and suddenly The Blues made an unbeatable lead. Every body was disappointed by lost opportunities and poor reffing; despite winning. Speights Ale flowed freely in the gound - in plastic bottles, because they sometime get thrown high and randomly for some reason.
The walk back to the car was more down hill. The evening was warm and dry thoughout and we got a little delayed by the Jazz and Blues festival going on at Mission Bay. But, we were home a little after ten.
On Sunday morning was the head ache. Not me, mum's migraine and she was out of it for most of the day.
One Tree Hill
In the morning Ian, Zoe and I went for a ride up One Tree Hill. So called, because it used to have a lone tree on top of it. The tree was destroyed by vandals and there is now an obelisk to mark the summit. It is typical of Auckland that now matter how steep the hill, a spiral road is provided, not only for cars, but for runners.
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