New Zealand conquered aka 9000 km later

The circle is complete and we are back in Auckland. We came a bit early, so we could sell our car. Usually, during this time of the year, every traveler is trying to do exactly the same thing as the high season just ended. However, we didn't have to wait long and got a few hits right from the beginning. We sold the car in a few days for $1300 (bought it for $1800), so not too shabby travel NZ for $500 :). Since then we have been exploring the wonders of Auckland and recharging our batteries for next adventures.

There are plenty of places of interests around Auckland as usually in every big city. We started with a Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) where there was a short term exhibit on movie special effects amongst other things. Unfortunately, it was not what we thought it would be as the interactive displays were more for kids, however, we did ended up seeing some cool old vehicles and they even had an old Czechoslovakian Jawa motorcycle. The next museum we have blessed with our visit was the Auckland Museum which is quite large and has a few floors. Each floor is focusing on different aspect of NZ and it surrounding areas. One has Polynesian arts and culture, another nature and from what I can recall the last one had a very extensive history on NZ war involvement and a great photographic display from the protests during French nuclear bomb testing in the Pacific.

One of the main highlights of our stay in Auckland was a visit to a local rugby match where the Auckland Blues took on the Canberra Brumbies. Sadly for the Auckland folks the Australian team took the victory. However, I can't help myself to comment that the game was so so boring. Being it the first ever rugby game we have visited, I'd have to say, I might give it another shot with a national team or something, but otherwise I might just stick to ice hockey :). At least they are not on the ground 90% of the match :).

Finally we have also had a TGIM in a proper Google fashion (well on Sunday :) with some of our visiting ex-coworkers. And where else would we go than a Irish pub, however, no Guinness tastes the same once you have tasted the real one from Dublin on top of the Guinness brewhouse. During the rest of the time, we have been splitting our time between many hours on internet (aren't you glad, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this), watching movies in the hostel, updating resumes and planning our next trip to South America. Finally, I have also cracked the 1000 page volume of Lord of the Rings without which no New Zealand experience is complete. Jenni has already read it, so she had one on me there. :) Now to our next adventures in South America, pickpockets and steaks, here we come.