After the morning formalities it was off to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Museum.  It was outstanding!  The do some special tours of planes and an area where they restore antique aircraft.  There were exhibits of RNZAF's history, Spy and escape items, WII on the homefront, and WWII.  It has only been in the last couple of years that I began to realize NZ's contributions to the wars the US fought in.  This was very good as I got to learn exactly how much and what they contributed.  All total there were about 28 aircraft.  Museums in New Zealand and Australia seem to have more hands on opportunities than those in the States.  It adds to the experience.

Marion and I went to the port town of Lyttleton in the afternoon.  Its just a nice and peaceful place to have a beer, watch activity in the port, and meet some interesting characters.  It is never ever boring.    I was gutted upon arrival as my favorite pub in the world has closed.   The Brittish has fallen victim to the boutiques and upscale establishments that are overtaking Lyttleton.  Its always sad to see a colorful place changed into the same cookie cutter experience you can get anywhere else in the English speaking world.  All was not lost as went to the Lyttleton Hotel (aka pub) and walked around.  For the second consecutive year I was unable to make it to their Maritime Museum.  Its only open two hours a day, three days a week - go figure!

The night was full of entertainment.  Ray's Uncle Karl had his 50th Birthday Party at the Woolsten Rugby Football Club.  It was a priceless experience: Maori, Somoan, and NZ food.  Maoris are their indians, or indigeous peoples.     The party itself was one of things you do once and are thankful for it, but not again.  There were family members, rugby friends, and work mates.  It was a whirlwind of activity.  Most everyone was friendly and one Maori had questions about American Indians.  Their integration has been much more successful than ours.  There are no reservations, though some special treatment.  For the most part, everyone seems to get along and racial integration is commonplace.