NZ North Island America's Cup Sailing - Tue. March 20

We left from California the night of the 18th, but didn't arrive in Auckland until the morning of the 20th due to crossing the International Date line!  Even though we splurged for a SkyCouch, we didn't get much sleep during our 12 1/2 hour flight.  Then made it through immigration and the very particular Biosecurity (where I had to show that the bottoms of my boots were clean). When we got to the baggage claim area we had a good laugh at this sign we saw:

Ya gotta love the Kiwi humor!  After we went to the Visitor's Center to get some brochures, checked into our hotel, and had a yummy Indian lunch, we walked to the marina where we had tickets to go sailing on a real America's Cup Sailing Yacht.  George has always loved sailing and this was an incredible opportunity.  He loved it!  Me?  Well, let's just say I was fine once we got back into the sheltered harbor.  We had quite a bit of wind and no one but me seemed to mind that the boat was heeling (leaning) WAY over! :-)

Looking at a boat just like ours with the Auckland Skyline in the background

George at work!

I'm happy now that there's not so much wind!

We even saw a bungee jumper go off the Auckland Bridge!

And to finish the day, we went to the Marine Museum, which was quite extensive and very well done.  One section even had a moving floor, to simulate a moving ship!  There was a lot of information about Peter Blake, a New Zealander who led the country to several successive victories in the America's Cup.

And for dinner, I started the trip out right by ordering Lamb Cutlets with Kumara (a New Zealand sweet potato). What a great first day!