Mel-bin

Melbourne is a hoppin' city! Lots of young people, lots to do, and extremely diverse.

I ventured out of the city to see some critters. 

We ended up a couple hours away at Phillips Island. At dusk, hundreds of penguins come ashore to feed their young. It was quite a sight, but no cameras allowed. Tour ended around midnight, shuttle pick up at 3:50am for flight to Cairns. 

Kiwis

 I love New Zealand! The people have been great! So nice, safe, diverse - and there's Starbucks. What more could you want?

I have found New Zealand very much culturally similar to the US. Probably more so than Australia. There's not all the crazy, colorful lingo and slang here. And the accent is easy to understand. It would be so easy to assimilate here. 

Less than 24 hours in Auckland is just not enough. I will have to come back. I had time to see my NZ friends, Linda and Graham. We met in Turkey in 2010. They are the sweetest. They actually live in Christchurch, but happen to be in town for a wedding. It just worked out that we planned to be here at the same time, because Christchurch was not a part of my tour. We walked the harbor area and took a ferry across to Davenport Island.

Headed to the airport for flight #6. Tonight I'll be in Melbourne. 

* Trivia- NZ was the 1st country to allow women to vote. 

*How do you tell an Aussie from a Kiwi? 

Get them to say "Fish & chips"

Aussies say  "feesh & cheeps."

Kiwis say  "fush & chups."

Cheers!

Friday

Last night's Hangi Feast was very enjoyable. Today started with a wonderful treatment at the Polynesian spa. This afternoon I had a tour of the glow worm caves- worms that glow on the dark like blue LED lights. It was awesome, but pics weren't allowed. After a lot of time on the road, I am in Auckland. This is definitely the big city. We got in late, so a bite to eat and chill. I will see my local friends tomorrow. 

The obligatory photo with warrior. . . 

. . . And dance demo

Auckland skyline