Auckland Museum

Posted on Thu 5 July 2007 at 02:49

I particularly like the Maori graveyard set into the hillside.  (Have I told you this before – my apologies if so)  It is so simple: no big signs; no huge headstones; no terracing.  Just individual graves set into the hillside.  It caught my attention the first time we drove past and when I went to Auckland with a colleague, it’s simplicity caught my fancy.  The last Maori Queen was recently interred there.  I have always had a predilection for wandering around graveyards.  I simply find them intriguing.  I have to say that UK graveyards win hands down in the age department – New Zealand is a relatively young country so can’t compare with the graveyards you can find in hidden corners of Britain.  The ones with stones so old you can’t read them anymore.  The headstones that give a family history.  Gargoyles and angels in draped veils.  I’m sure you know what I mean.  But this graveyard has a feel all of it’s own as it’s roots are so different to those I am used to.  According to my colleague Mike, there is no reason that non-maori can’t go in there and pay their respects.  But to observe the proprieties, you need to wash your hands on the way out.  I particularly love the simple,(shop bought rather than council funded) solar lights that dot the place: it looks so tranquil in the half-light of dusk, the kind of place that takes the fear out of dying.  Apparently, the Maori style of grieving is the most therapeutic in the world.  However, having made that statement, I now have to away and do some research (ask my Maori work-mates!) as to why that is held to be true.  I will get back to you on that one.

Right, back on track now.

We have read that Pac n save at Slyvia Park on the outskirts of Auckland stock quite a few UK lines, so we made a frantic dive in there on Sunday as we had a schedule to stick to.  Up and own we wandered, until I thought to look in the right place.  And there it was.  In the foreign foods aisle indeed.  Indian Foods.  Chinese Foods.  Mexicans Foods.  Tai Foods.   UK Foods.  I ask you!  Since when have bloody stock cubes,  gravy granules and sodding Jaffa Cakes been ‘foreign foods’?   We spent shit loads of money – in that leading up to Xmas stylie:  when you buy a jar of pickled walnuts that will have 2 eaten out of it and then thrown out in October manner – I’m sure you are well aquaint with what I mean!.  Suffice to say we spent silly money on silly stuff but are still enjoying the process.  I don’t think I have ever counted out the jaffa cakes in such a jealous manner in my life.  I don’t even care that much usually but if there are 12 in a packet and there are 3 of us the Goddammit: I WILL HAVE MY 4!!

Then we swiftly scooted off to the museum.  We had organised that we would meet up with another ex-pat family there: the Lardyls  We managed that without too much distress and it was really nice to meet up. Mr and Mrs Lardyl (names omitted to protect the innocent) and their lovely children were excellent company.  So we spent a about  3,5 hours wandering the museum and chatting.  I had a great time – I sincerely hope that everyone else did too.  For me, the best part of the museum – and we didn’t see it all by any means – was the natural history section.  I loved the way it way set out and wish I had taken some photos to show you.  Comfy, banquette-type seating most of the way round, with a second tier where the kids could sit if they wished.  Loads of natural history books to check up on facts if you felt like it.  Pull out drawers of: shells (my favourite of course!), bugs, insects, butterflies, birds, rats (yeuch) - you name it if it was drawer-sized, it was there!!  Stuffed animals all the way round.  There are 2 schools of thought on this.  I go with the camp that says: ‘these animals were stuffed a long, long time before we thought about saving the planet and its inhabitants’.  So, they are already dead, let’s make best use of the resources we have.  Maybe not everyone’s philosophy but this is not a judgement call, this is my blog!  Suffice to say, I found it to be an excellent museum and look forward to going again.  And if I can cajole the Lardyl’s into going again, so much the better.  As a footnote: the girl found most of it boring.  Lunch was OK apparently.  Then after lunch, with my mobile, my personal alarm and strict admonishments to stay in the building, we let her go off on her own.  The day improved (for her) from that moment on!  What can I say!  You have to let go and that is not easy. 

We left around 3.40ish so that Steve could make the drive back in daylight as he is not familiar with the road.  I was happy with that as I still like to see where I am going.

An excellent adventure for the Burgess clan – well done us!