Day 26 - Big Time in Auckland

Even infinitely long four weeks come to an end. Faster than you think or at least at the beginning. Today we had another big city experience. Our hotel is an Art Deco boutique hotel right in the city, mega cool and mega beautiful, but the breakfast was not quite so overwhelming today. Anyway. Afterwards we went to see the much-praised Art Museum. We really liked it both architecturally and pictorially. Especially the pictures with the Maoris and the pictures by Colin McCahon appealed to us. You can see examples above. Really worth seeing and all presented very well to the layman. It is really interesting how the Maoris were depicted in the early 19th century. While the women were particularly noticeable with their chin and lip tattoos, the chiefs distinguished themselves with full face tattoos. A drawing that, by the way, was only reserved for the chief. Next to the Art Museum is Albert Park, which I walked through yesterday when Norman had something else in mind. Incredible trees. Also the most beautiful magnolia I have ever seen. After visiting the museum, we both walked through the park together and I was able to show Norman my most beautiful impressions.

For lunch, we had something Asian: tasty and spicy, and then the discussion started about what to do with our last afternoon. Zoo, trip to an island, hop on hop off bus, Thai massage... it finally ended in a walk to Mt Eden, a volcano in Auckland with an excellent view. And we were still in training for walking. We walk 10 km with ease, without even noticing it, and Norman always wearing flip-flops. The weather was wonderfully sunny, although not too warm, and we saw beautiful corners of the metropolis once again. In Auckland, you always feel safe, even though it is different from the flat countryside.

Back at the hotel, there was hardly any time for leisure, as we already had a table booked at 6 p.m. in the Skytower for dinner at the famous restaurant "The Sugar Club". Of course, we had another vegetarian meal, although I am already looking forward to having sausage for breakfast again. You can find photos of the great menu above. My vegetarian challenge in New Zealand ends tomorrow. It was not difficult to give up meat and sausage, except for breakfast. An interesting experience, but I haven't become a permanent vegetarian like Norman. I think you feel much better with significantly reduced meat consumption and you should only eat meat consciously and not every day, not like the New Zealanders, who still struggle with it. No wonder with these pet masses. Intensive pasture livestock farming was apparently invented here :-)

The food in the Skytower was delicious, but even better was our view at 140 m height.

Well, it's coming to an end tomorrow. We will get in touch one more time and that will be it.