The Second Walkabout in Auckland. . .and on to Waiheke

The Clock Tower at University of Auckland

I walked down to see John's new office. It's "off campus" a bit, though not far, just like the Yanke building is at Boise State. He shares an office with a grad student who is very accommodating (translation: gracefully endures his conference calls to students at Boise State), and I met his host and a gaggle of students at the seminar he gave today. A very engaging and convivial group.

Much of the central business district is much as you'd expect, a busy thriving metropolis, full of bustle and traffic. But the campus, while very urban, is also quite lovely. The clock tower can be seen across a large swath of the city, and is quite iconic, as you might imagine. We ate lunch at Father Ted's, and Irish bar. Truly bar food, complete with slightly sticky tables. But a decent glass of beer and wine.

We also walked through Albert Park, a much larger urban park than Western Park. There were several HUGE specimens of Moreton Figs. They are astonishing. They remind me of the huge old Weeping Purple Beech trees that were on Penn State's Campus. . .

Moreton Fig Trunk

John with a huge specimen of Moreton Fig

Here's another cool thing. There was this marble and stone memorial in the park. Check out what it's commemorating: Journalism! What a crazy idea. What, a free press is valuable? Who remembered?

I also keep forgetting to mention this: Auckland is really quite hilly. . . .about halfway between Boise and San Francisco hilly, so exercise is to be had. . .

 

For all of those Rational Types

Here's another cool thing: Look at the name of this building! We saw it walking back to John's office after lunch. I've made up my mind. I want to live there! In truth, it was bought and paid for by the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists: Promoting Humanism, secularism and reason. Who knew? (rationalists.nz).

Finally, yet another view of the sunset off our balcony. While it's true that I am not, at core, a city mouse, I am really enjoying this view. And! We leave for a small adventure tomorrow. We're taking the ferry (about 40 minutes) to the island of Waiheke (I know. The native names are tough, aren't they?) for 2 nights.  It's supposed to be full of hikes, art, wine, food and native history. I'll let you know how it goes. . .