Huh! So much for New Zealand campground grading. Current 5-star site north of Auckland makes a mockery. Seen enough to know what’s 5-star or not, and this definitely is not. Been looking forward to final week taking it easy in deluxe cabin, playground and swimming pool for kids, and anticipating excellent facilities. Big disappointment! Kids took one look at playground and haven’t been back. Swimming pool, equally, a waste of space. Probably, both put in only to get tick on grading sheet. Pre-booked so staying. Went into Auckland and realised hadn’t been to a big city for a while. Agh! Too much traffic, too many people. Much too busy! Drove in, found out where to return car and drove out again. Haven’t felt much like visiting again since. Went briefly, to information centre at Skytower where we saw bungy-type jump [photo], then onto museum. Had best Children’s Discovery Centre we’ve seen. Spent several hours in that part alone. Had to drag kids away to leave, especially Ben. Loads of play things, puzzles, toys, books, musical instruments and dressing up. Ben adored wearing the dinosaur costumes [photo]. One niggle was entrance. Entry by donation. Huh! Pass through entry gate manned by a person at a till waiting for your $5. Couldn’t enter without paying, so why call it a donation? It’s an entrance fee! Visited Devonport today [photo] . Yet more reminders of home! Naval base, ferry dock and main street of shops. Went looking for second-hand books for Leala. She’s positively got into reading and is devouring books, often reading one in a day. Maybe a lack of literature through Asia has made her appreciate it more.