*Yawn* Arrrr what a brill sleep. Morning Bro, morning Sis!
Had to leave real early this 
morning, and take Diane’s hubby to work then on to a garage as the car was due for a warrant, so we waited and chatted with people there who are real nice. The owner of the garage and the woman behind the counter thought I was real choice!
We drove into the city to the Auckland Museum, its HUGE and there are some awesome stuff in there. But first I met a very sweet, shy, fury 
friend who had been waiting ever so patiently for me to arrive…. “Tamie” the Kiwi. We hit it off right away, soon chatting nineteen to the dozen. We ran riot in the gift shop…. until we got caught! 
The best part was meeting up with some kids after the Maori concert. We had some laughs, I told them my super April Fool tricks, and they told me some jokes and funny sayings…. Like; If someone throws a goose at you, duck. One plate said to the other, 
“Dinner’s on me”….hehe. And… When Dumbo’s mother asked if he was listening, he replied, “I’m all ears.”…. lol. It was great having Tamie with me.
Met some really unusual friends inside like this one. TekoTeko designs like these 
represent ancestors, and with protruding tongue is representing a war dance, like the Haka. Diane tried to show me a Haka…. Just so funny and definitely not fit to be shown…*giggles*. The huge carvings like these again representing ancestors and line of power, are often carved on beams of meeting 
houses with paua eyes, to ward of evil spirits. After being caught climbing into a waka, totally forbidden in the museum, seeing lots of Maori artware and meeting lots of other huge beasts. 
We raced home to pick up Ian and while they were changing, Tamie and I played Tag, up and down the deck, and around the pot plants….hehe. They don’t call me mischief groundhog for nothing!
Back in the city down on the waterfront, we enjoyed a leisurely walk.
At the Sky Tower, the view is amazing, looking straight out at 
Rangitoto Island, a volcano you can walk over, sitting in the middle of their harbour…. How cool is that! Did you know that Auckland city alone is built on thirteen volcanoes… Diane said we should whisper so as not to awaken them…. I think she was kidding…. I HOPE she was kidding! They even have one viewing 
platform floor made only of glass….. that was real creepy at first, seeing all those cars down there looking like ants…. I laughed at Tamie trying to peck the glass… he must have been hungry! We had a wonderful meal up here, all you can eat I heard that you can bungy jump off the sky tower and also walk around the outside, we didn’t! But we watched others doing it… Way Cool! Diane was just scared I would slip and fall. Then how would she explain to Susanne what happened to me….Gulp!
It was getting late when we left, but not before we played in a playground and sand box under the Sky Tower. This place is really cool, if we had had more time we could have gone out on the harbour in a sail boat. On the drive home under the bright lights of the city Diane told us of a beautiful mystical place about five hours drive out where there were blue and green lakes, and another the colour and shape of a champagne glass that you could walk over, see steam rising from the ground , cover ourselves in hot mud… (suppose to be good for the complexion) and go white water and black water rafting, and see where the Twin Towers and the Hobbits was made…. Gosh so much to see and no time to do it in… 
I asked Diane if she would tell us more about it in her travel stories on her blog and she has promised me she would, soon. We had to say goodbye to Tamie and that was real sad, I so loved him, he’s my bestest, bestest…friend ever! As I crawled into my pretty bed Diane whispered that there would be a surprise for me when I got back home to Susanna. What could that be…… could Tamie ….. be coming to the USA…. *yawns*…. Oh I would love that……. I had such a blast….. *yawns*…. Wish I could stay…… longer….ZZZzzzzzzzzzzz
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Phyllis was having such a great time our here that Forecast Extraordinair forgot to tell you the weather forecast which was exactly as they predicted…. Warm sunny day 22degC and light winds. It is now midnight, tomorrow will be another fine day, and Phyllis comes with me to work where she will say good-bye and head by Express Mail to Nicky in Victoria Australia. I loved having this crazy groundhog visiting with me… so short a time, but loads of fun. Thank you Susanna for allowing me to be a part of Phyllis’s World Tour. 
Writer and Dreamer at work 
Love the photos and kiwi bird! NZ has some beautiful views!
Thankyou Tina, I missed one photo and quickly went back and put it up…. hope you got to see it…. the glass under the fee at the top of the sky tower…lol. Glad you enjoyed it.
Tamie the kiwi makes a great best friend for Phyllis! It looks like Phyllis had an awesome stop in Kiwiland! Thirteen volcanos? Wow! That is something! The photos were wonderful. Thanks for telling us all about Phyllis’s busy time visiting with you.
LOL… Yes Tamie certainly did. They became insperable and spent the rest of the day together. Yeah..lol. thirteen, I only wish I could have shown you more views…. Your welcome, I loved having her here.
Boy do you know how to show a groundhog a good time, Diane!!! I can’t believe you were able to coax her off to Nicky after all that fun! She will miss Tamie, I can tell. And the Hokey Pokey ice cream – which I googled last night and it sounds so delicious that I may have to come to NZ just to try it. Oh, and also to stand on that glass floor which looks so scary! but it would be kind of fun to scare the bejeesus out of myself 🙂 13 volcanoes! And blue and green lakes and water like champagne! New Zealand looks and sound so beautiful! Thank you so much for having Phyllis and teaching us all so much about NZ!!! 🙂
Your very, very welcome Susanna. Sorry that you only appear now as my wordpress seems to like keeping many people in the spam box and it takes ages to clear it. You were in amongst them …. lord knows why! Yes we loved having Phyllis with us and would love to have had her stay longer, but *sigh* I knew she had to keep moving and time was of the essence. So she is now winging her way to Aussie land piff! …lol.
Know that, that bed is waiting once again for visitors and you are most welcome. Us kiwis know how to show a girl a good time….heheh…. *wink*.
Just checked again for the new photo…scary! I’m afraid of heights.
Cool, so glad you came back to have a look. LOL I wouldn’t want you to miss out on what Phyllis was up to. Thanks Tina.
I really think Phyllis needs me as a personal escort. I have a current passport. May I interview for the job? Diane, you sure showed Phyllis a great time!
LOL, I wouldn’t mind being Phyllis’s escort either…. get to visit lots of awesome places. Cool passport, toothbrush and a smile… thats all you need…. lol. Thanks for stopping by Kirsten.
Never thought I would envy a groundhog’s adventures in the big smoke! Kids in the land of the long white cloud are so lucky to have sculptured structures on a playground! Chocka great pictures, fun sayings (might inspire a story!), and anklebiters everywhere will love reading this post too! Cheerio!
Aww thankyou Julie, so pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks for all the compliments, you are sweet. Yes its true kids here are very lucky they have such fresh clean air and mild weather and free speach.
Another fun day touring with Phyllis. It looked like she loved Tamie the Kiwi and has found a new friend. Phyllis wasn’t afraid of heights in the tower — she looks like she’s feeling free up so high. Loved the tour of the Museum. Phyllis may have enjoyed seeing the ancient Teko Teko designs, but they certainly aren’t sure what to think about Phylliss — do I see them sticking out their tongues at her? LOL! Didn’t realize your country was the result of 13 volcanoes — inactive I hope. Wow! Looks like she had a great time, and may have a buddy coming to visit her in the states. Nice tour down under.
LOL…… loved your comments Pat. So please you are enjoying this. Yes Phyllis had a lot of fun at the museum… one can go on and on in the there and heaps of photos to post. I had to really stick to only a couple to use…lol. Our country is made up of many volcanoes but 13 of them are in my city ALONE, yep that’s right in Auckland. Yes they are all asleep for hundred years…. Enjoy the rest of her World Tour and thanks Pat.
Wow! What a busy and exciting time you showed Phyllis! I’m sure she’ll never forget her time in Kiwiland!
Thankyou Beth, no I am sure she will not forget her time here, I had such fun with her.
This was great! And we got to see/learn more about Auckland. Would love to visit that museum one day. Cheers.
Hi Darlene, oh I hope you come to New Zealand, there is so much to see. You would certainly see much in the museum…. there is another one just as good and big in Wellington called Te Papa…. Google it, hopefully there will be some exciting stuff there. The Auckland one is the better of the two. Thanks for commenting and pop back anytime. I hope to have more on New Zealand as I pick up my wanderlust. Stay tuned.
Fabulous! I’ve been to all those places too. The Auckland Museum is the best museum in the world, I’ve been three times. Go Phyllis!
LOL….. So glad you approve Catherine. Yes I have been countless times to the museum. With a young nephew coming over in August I plan on spending some time in there with him, enjoying his discoveries. Phyllis loved it!
LOVE Tamie the Kiwi! I would like to visit the Sky Tower someday. And the Auckland Museum. And the Tulloch house. And the gift shop (who wouldn’t). And the playground. And meet Tamie. And play Tag with Tamie and Phyllis. And… You get the idea, right? 😉 It looks like Phyllis had an AWESOME time! That’s cool about the volcanoes!
Erik
LOL… Thankyou Erik! Well you are welcome over anytime. I hope you do get to visit oneday….. study hard and save your dollars and cents and who knows… one day! New Zealand is certainly a great adventure playground with lots to see and do and lots of open spaces. Phyllis did have an awesome time. LOL.
I am not sure who had more fun, you or Phyllis!!
LOL she is alot of fun to be with Joanna as you have no doubt found out. I wanted her to get to know a little of the culture here and enjoy the fun side as well. Thanks for your comment.
wow, I was waiting for the country pics, australia is huge! and look sso busy. I can’t wait to get there one day 🙂
Looks like you guys had a grand time 🙂
Love,
Denise of Ingleside, PEI
Hi Denise, sorry to correct you, but WE are in New Zealand NOT Australia, BIG difference… (especially where sport is concerned)….lol. Yes I could have shown a lot of country pics but there were so many photos taken I just picked these ones. She had a wow of a time here Glad you liked what I did post. Thanks Denise.
oh I didn’t know that, Diane 🙂 but i’m glad you told me. I love learning new things! 🙂
I must admit to thinking Australia and New Zealand looked just like Crocodile Dundee lol… I should have known better after people telling me they thought that we Islanders still used horse and buggy and didn’t have toilets or electricity lol!!
Great post! you’ve made me totally want to come and visit Auckland! 🙂
Thankyou and your very welcome. I hope you do and will look me up immedately…lol.
Phyllis had one busy day!
she sure did Darshana…. lol.Thanks for taking the time to drop by.
Brilliant, Diane! I am now insanely jealous of a children’s book! You live in an amazing part of the world, thank you so much for sharing it.
Your welcome Heather, always glad to show someone around. Stay tuned I hope to update with some more of my wanderings around Aoteroa. (Pleased to see the real you…lol.)
I too am jealous of Phyllis’ adventures. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
awww…. lol. Well the door is always open. One thing is sure, kiwi hospitality is NEVER lacking! Your welcome Stacy.
WoW, what a tour guide you are! This was a lot of fun to read. I can imagine actually being there and having a great time. You took some amazing pics! Love this post!
Thankyou Pam….lol. So pleased you enjoyed it. I love taking people around….
Phyllis’ world tour makes me wish I were a book. Then I could just pop in the mail and visit all these fun places. Looks like you were an excellent host of dear Phyllis!
Yes I sometimes wish I was a book too. Love travelling around and meeting new people in amazing places. I think Phyllis enjoyed herself… I know we did…lol. Thanks for stopping by Hannah.