Albert Park demonstrates New Zealand’s Britishness, but it also showcases what makes New Zealand unique. Built on top of volcanic rock, Albert Park features ornate flower gardens, a fountain, and, of course the most British thing ever, a statue of Queen Victoria. At the same time, it is uniquely New Zealand: On top of an extinct volcano, that used to be a Maori fortification, with really cool looking trees. Since it’s in Auckland, you don’t get dirty looks for playing in the grass, and climbing the trees like you do in London. Oh, and one other thing you can do in New Zealand that is probably frowned upon in Great Britain: go barefoot! Kiwis go everywhere without shoes, even in malls and restaurants.
What could be more British than a statue of of Queen Victoria in the park. This statue, located thirteen hours ahead of GMT, is a reminder that in a bygone era the sun did not set on the British Empire.
Perfect English flower beds, with palm trees in the background.
A flower clock.
Kiwis are very proud of their military sacrifices. Particularly their brave service at Gallipoli during World War One, and in Crete during World War II.
The Ombu tree is from the New World, but does quite well in New Zealand. Rachel is giving her "quick Frodo we must go" look while standing on the root of a tree that could be cast in Lord Of The Rings.
Hi Rachel, Uncle Paul, and Aunt Alice,
ReplyDeleteIt seams like you are having a lot of fun in New Zealand. Rachel how are you liking school? What is your favorite food? Have you seen many sheep? Has Daddy started knitting yet?
Phoebe and Aunt Elise,
You said:
ReplyDelete"Kiwis go everywhere without shoes, even in malls and restaurants"
Well, it was like that in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It's just that it went out of style here during the 1980s and never came back, but in NZ it did not. Though it was 'frowned upon' here too, since hippies started the trend, but a sizable enough minority of young adults and teenagers were doing it, that it was more or less tolerated during the 1970s. And during the late 1960s, signs began appearing all over stores and other establishments, "no bare feet", "shirts and shoes required", "no shirts, no shoes, no service", all to keep out hippies, who were considered by conservatives as 'unpatriotic'. But these signs were largely ignored when ordinary young people who were not hippies started doing that during the 70s.