New Zealand 7 - Underwater World and Philippa

Sun. Feb. 4th, 2007: Underwaterworld and lazy afternoon
Along the beach, Tamaki drive, we went to Mission bay (old Polynesian mission houses), before the bay Elisabeth and Guenter stopped at 'Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World'. In the new part you see penguins swimming, then get information about the scientists going first time to Antarctic, a reconstruction of Walter Scott's hut, labs and working stations, and after you enter a 'snow cat' leading along 'Antarctic world' to a water basin and a (daily renewed) snow field for many penguins of different kind. After that you walk on passing by a conserved Giant Squid (Riesen-Tintenfisch, ca. 6m length) to a basin with Sting rays (Stachelrochen), along a moving band you move under a cupola of plastic watching sharks, fishes, Sting rays overhead. A second overhead tank contains more fish, green turtles, and much more. After that you see live fish tanks containing: stone fish, sea dragons, yellowbelled sea snake, puffer fish, piranhas, lion fish, sea horses and many more (excuse any spelling errors). At the end you find a gift shop well suited for tourists.
Walking along Tamaki drive to Mission bay we met Gerti, Hans Peter and their friend Philippa, to have picknick and a 'lazy afternoon'. Before driving home we stopped again at Long Bay to have a short swim in the sun.