Blogs from Paihia, Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

We've been home a week but for our own historical record I need to update this with the last of our travels. Tuesday 18/10/22 Still in Paihia. I played golf today at the Waitangi Golf course. It is set in a majestic setting with expansive views across the Bay of Islands. It's also very hilly and steep and I should have hired a cart but thought I could walk it OK. Bad decision . By number 13 I was feeling my age! Bugger. That must have been the reason for my very average scoring, surely. Afterwards we had a quiet afternoon; visited the beach thinking we might swim but the cool wind and my numb feet, once I'd paddled up to my knees, decided against it. We enjoyed looking through Henry Williams' grandson's house and garden ... read more

The less I say about Auckland the better. People seem to be flocking there to live, but we failed to see the charm. Perhaps in the suburbs it is better, but downtown is crowded, noisy, congested, and lacking in charm, at least for us. The museum is magnificent - more about that later. After a night in Auckland, we headed back out on the road, this time going up the west coast of the North Island and then crossing over to the east side and the Bay of Islands area. In particular, in addition to just seeing more of the North island, we had our sights set on the kauri trees. Among the largest trees on earth, these also represent one of the oldest tree groups on earth, with representative species extending back to the Jurassic ... read more

I've left Auckland and I'm glad for it. The bars weren't bad, but I wasn't too fond of the rest. I'm in Paihia now; it's considerably smaller and has quite a nice beach. On the drive there, I got my first real impression of New Zealand. It's very spread out, with lots of cows and sheep dotting the landscape. The houses are mostly bungalows, and there are plants here I've never seen before - also some birds with very strange songs. I enjoy them. Staying in hostels is also a lot more chill than expected - I was nervous about it, but it's easier to meet and talk to people you already have a big thing like leaving home to travel in common. In other unsurprising news, I still miss my friends and family. Oh well, ... read more

Common dolphins Bottle nose dolphins Back to Andy and Elise’s Went to Tutukaka to look at a boat with Andy Dinner at a Thai... read more

Bay of Islands 16th March Day 2 Paihia & Waitangi The birthplace of NZ, Waitangi inhabits a complex place in the Nations minds. Demonstrated by a mixture of celebration and apathy that accompanies the nations birthday on Waitangi Day On February 6th. The long awaited Treaty was signed here between the Maori Chiefs and the British Crown, establishing British sovereignty depending if your reading the British or Maori versions of the Treaty!!! Anyway a bit more of that later when we visit the different Missions in this part of the world as against the Mission Winery down in Hawkes Bay. It seems like a long haul up to Paihia but it does turn out to be worthwhile. A dry drive until the last crest and then the heavens opened. Still it's warm rain. Being early and ... read more