Evan and Nora: June 2015

Monday, June 29, 2015

The WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM (Auckland)

All of our friends here have been telling us that we HAVE TO make it to the War Memorial Museum. We finally did. It's a museum that is all about New Zealand culture starting with the Maoris.

Maori Dancers.
We finally got to see a typical Maori Dance. Finally. I thought we were going to leave New Zealand next week without having witnessed this dance. Their most famous one is meant to scare away invaders or those threatening their people. Their eyes bug out and they stick out their tongues. Sometimes they paint their tongues red. They looked very threatening and Nora had to cover her ears and at times her eyes.

The Royal New Zealand Albartose

Japanese Zero Airplane from WWII

Old Town Auckland (1860's)

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Taking the Grandparents around Mt. Victoria and Devonport

Mount Victoria is a little mountain right in Devonport. Up at the top, you have a spectacular view of the North Shore and Rangitoto Island. It was very, very chilly at the top and extremely windy. Of course, Evan was in his soccer uniform which consisted of shorts and a t-shirt and no shoes. It's official: He's completely embraced the Kiwi culture. The kids here do not wear shoes and never wear sweatshirts, or better said, jumpers....not even in the winter. It was 10 degrees C.

Mount Victoria was developed by the Europeans as a military position just in case the Russians invaded. Ie: Gun Turret and Bunkers.

The Eliason's visit New Zealand

A gun turret

Freezing Wind

The Moreton Bay Fig Tree (Australian Banyan Tree) is in Devonport right next to the new library. It is amazing to look at. The tree has grown its own support system to hold up its heavy branches.

Our little futbol player

Saturday, June 27, 2015

The Crazies

Friday, June 26, 2015

Grandpa Eliason

Room 17 says good-bye to Evan

Evan's year 4 class threw him a little party last week. His teacher, Mrs. Viles, was leaving for Europe and Evan was going to have a substitute for his last week of school. Mrs. Viles gave Evan a book on the Maori language and a bag of NZ sweets. A few of the kids said some very kind things to Evan and the teacher made a little speech. All in all, it was quite moving and sad. Evan is going to miss this class terribly.