March 8 - More Auckland

Today is Maritime day in the City of Sails (Auckland's nickname for itself).  We had a leisurely breakfast and strolled downtown to the Maritime Museum.

Outside the museum is the hull of one of the NZ America's Cup challengers - unfortunately the one
that lost to Dennis Connors catamaran in 198-whatever.

Inside was the hull of the NZ winner (or the second boat, I can't remember which).  They had a couple of display halls full of the America's Cup stories.  Also, lots on general sailing and the developement of recreational sailing in NZ.

The museum is fairly large and, along with the exhibits above has the usual displays of maritime stuff.  I can look at it all day, but I won't bore you with any more.

Parked just alongside the Maritime museum were a couple of boats that belonged to the poor people,  The downtown marina has a  lot of seriously huge boats, belonging to people that could care less if
house wine is $10/glass in the restaurant.  Needless to say, we ate across the road in the cafe.

Last photo.  Where else would you see a Bicycle First Aid Vending Machine?  We're thinking of doing something different tomorrow - going for a bike ride (how imaginative, eh?)

A note for those of you voting on the blog - the ballot has only two choices - Yes or No for Laura.

It's no use spoiling your ballot with a write-in.  (I'm following the Muammar Gadaffi Fair Election Principles Handbook)