Day 1

Shire Reckoning: Sunday, Foreyule 5th.

Went to the Auckland museum today and took in New Zealand's "real" history (okay Fifth or Sixth Age history or whatever we're in now anyway).  As a history guy I felt a bit guilty that I was coming here for reasons that were wholly fantastical. Saw some really amazing stuff and got well and truly exposed to the Maori culture and New Zealand natural history.  Man I wish I could have seen a Moa for real.  The Moa seems a shoe-in argument for dinos evolving into birds.  Got a special surprise with a quick dose of New Zealand military history.

Was rather surprised at how interaction with the Maori basically paralleled what was going on in the States with the Native Americans during the 1800's.  New Zealand seems to be making up for it by embracing the Maori culture though, which we over here are not doing. :(

Maori women doing a Poy dance.

Penny in a reconstructed Maori hall.

Penny and a Maori warrior. (The bulging eyes and exposed tongue are meant as signs of intimidation.  While it looks funny in to Western eyes in a picture, its not at all funny when a Maori warrior is doing it.)

Was ravenously hungry can't wait until the welcome dinner.

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Quick welcome dinner from folks of the tour to get us to mingle and get out some info. So hungry didn't do a whole lot of mingling...more just shoveling food in face. Gandalf surprised us in the end (rather good costume and sparks shooting from the staff.) Much mirth....setting the tone quite well for the stuff to come...

Vicky, Dominique, and her Mother...Gandalf stalks into the room, sparks shooting from his staff.

  Day 2

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