Largest Corrugated Dog & Sheep Buildings in the World

   (there are others?)

Our next destination on the North Island is supposed to be the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves.  These caves, named for the Maori words for water and hole  (wai  and tomo) have not just the usual stalactites, stalagmites etc., but colonies of glow worms that create a unique sight.  

Image from http://www.xperienz.co.nz/

Unfortunately, as we try to find the Glow Worm Caves we learn that NZ road signage is scarce.  The above image is from a NZ web site.  Please remember my blog is based on my journals. This trip was a few years ago, but we didn’t have the advantage of a GPS or smartphone.  So we drive, we back-track, drive some more, back-track,  and finally decide to go on to Auckland. 

It’s a three-hour drive;  fortunately, the views are lovely--  rolling hills, lush greenery,  and the almost omnipresent fluffy clouds.  These are captivating reminders of  the volcanic origins of this land and the inspiration for its Maori name.

Rolling Hills of the North Island

We take a break in Oxford (or Tirau, in Maori) at the largest corrugated iron Sheep and Sheepdog buildings in the world.   My first thought is,  ‘There are other corrugated sheep buildings?’ 

Visitor Information Centre of Tirau

In addition to being unique structures, these buildings highlight the importance of sheep farming in New Zealand.  I’m sure there are differences of opinion, but I have often heard that New Zealand lamb is the absolute best.  Any lamb lovers care to comment?

The largest corrugated sheep  building in the world is a wool and craft shop.

Onward to Auckland, with some scenic reminders of the importance of sheep to the local economy.

I doze off before we get to the city, and Kate is left not only doing all the driving, but doing it with no one to talk to.  Once again she gets us to our destination without a problem and we’re in for the night.

We start our last day on the North Island with a bus tour of Auckland.  Tours like this are ideal for an overview that can help you decide where you want to spend the most time.  In our case, it's ideal because we have one day.  One advantage of this excursion is that we can get  off at various points throughout the tour, and board another tour coach when we're done exploring a chosen point.

I’m struck by the harbor view...the water, the land and, again, ‘the long white cloud’.  Every time I see that view I am reminded of that name, Aotearoa, bestowed by the first arrivals.  

Auckland Harbor

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But there is more to see than the harbor....

Next: Auckland Museum and Sky Tower