Spring Break: Museum and Art Gallery

Toward the end of the trip, we were definitely starting to slow things down a bit, partly because we’d been doing a lot all week, and partly because the weather wasn’t great. It was pretty rainy, so we were trying to find things to do indoors that didn’t cost much, which is how we ended up at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.

The museum was such a good option, especially since it was free for students. We went in thinking we’d be in there for just a few hours, but it turned into an all-day thing without even realising. There was so much to look at, from New Zealand history to cultural exhibits, and it felt like a completely different side of the trip compared to everything else we’d been doing. It was nice to just take our time, walk through everything, and not feel rushed.

On our last day, we went to the art gallery, which is free entry for everyone, so it was an easy choice. It had a totally different vibe, it was way quieter and more relaxed. Walking through felt really calm, and it was cool seeing such a mix of different artworks all in one place. It was one of those things you don’t always plan as a highlight, but you end up really enjoying it anyway.

It actually worked out perfectly doing these on a rainy day. It gave us a chance to stay dry and still do something interesting without spending much.