Nov 6 Wednesday Auckland A light rain is falling. We go to a good breakfast buffet then get the tour bus at 9am. We head to Mt Eden first for a 360’ view of the city. We find a group of cows professionally mowing the lawns, they were unconcerned with all the people. Mt Eden is the largest extent volcano (there are 48 in this area). The War Museum is next. It is huge ,3 levels- the ground level is dedicated to people of NZ both Mauri and Europe descents and the Pacific region. 2nd floor dedicated to NZ seafaring past and present . The top floor focuses on New Zealand at war. Light filters through the stained glass ceiling above the lobby. There was too much to absorb in 1 hour. Back on the bus we tour the city including Parnell historic district with it’s expensive shops, Queen street Aucklands golden mile entertainment and shopping center. We do the waterfront next and walk around the Maritime museum before boarding one of 3 sailboats Jim hires for us.Pride of Auckland. www.prideofauckland.com Our boat is 50 ft. we are on it for 1.5 hrs. It stops raining enough to enjoy a box lunch in the cockpit, then back to rain again. They provided raincoats. guess we can’t win them all. It was still enjoyable as great views. We arrive at Kelly Tartons underwater world in time to see them feeding the sting rays. Next we board the snow cat for a close encounter with Gentoo and King Penguins in a stimulated Antartic world. We walk through transparent acrylic tunnels ( all around aquarium) with views ofsharks turtles, and other marine life. www.kellytarltons.co.nz