Blogs from Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 40

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty November 3rd 2005

I have returned from my boat cruise in one piece, and very much enjoying my time in New Zealand. I boarded the ship via a little motorboat with 9 other people and was welcomed aboard by the crew of "The Rock". We then headed out to the Bay of Islands and did some air gun shooting at a bottle being towed behind the boat. Lame as it may sound, it was pretty fun! We then fished at dusk for Snapper. I am proud to say caught 2 out of the 3 fish that we had with our nice dinner of steak, assorted salads, bread, fresh mussels and dessert. I then chatted and got to know the crew, my fellow visitors and the captain. He was telling me that he is trying to open a hatchery for ... read more

of orcas and volcanoes

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty » Whakatane October 25th 2005

Bay of Islands campsite in Paihia

Celine and Scott

Dear all, some more great time was had here in New Zealand, especially since the weather has changed for the better. From the Bay of Islands and its gorgeous endless beaches, impressive kauri trees (and rain) we moved to the Coromandel peninsula with more gorgeous beaches, more kauri trees and sunny weather, what more to ask for! We first headed through Thames and up the West side of the peninsula before crossing to the East coast, over mountains, past ragged ridges and along tortuous roads. First stop - see pictures, Rapaura gardens and waterfall. Still a bit wet but great stop for food afterwards! Then onto Hahei and its hot water beach and Cathedral Cove Walk. We missed on the hot water but got lucky at the walk: saw 2 orcas barely 3 metres away from ... read more

Jolly good fun! :-)

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty » Mount Maunganui September 25th 2005

Targett

We are now staying at a campsite at the bottom of mount maunganui, looks all very impressive - waking up with a big hill on one side and the ocean on the other. Weather picking up, summer is on it's way!!! This is good news after the spring like weather we had up at the top of north island (cape reinga). Walking down to the light house there were 75 mph winds blowing. All a bit heart in the mouth, (one of the tour group got blown off his feet, very close to edge). But now the sun is out. We have been in the coromandel for a week, and it is very beautiful. We went sea kayaking, which was lots of fun if very hard work. both very tired the next day. We are currently ... read more

Adieu New Zealand

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty September 4th 2005

Rainbow Falls

Unibrow

Here some photos to close out our visit to New Zealand. Bangkok tomorrow! We're staying at the Comfort Inn. -Cory and Sherry... read more

Plenty o' Fun

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty September 3rd 2005

Unibrow

Greetings from Paihia, a town on the Bay of Plenty. We're back on the N. Island for a short respite before heading off to Bangkok. Today we took advantage of free items activities prov. by the hostel. We kayaked, individually, out into the bay. We both managed to get our bums pretty wet. After eating we then took mt. bikes out for a spin on some paved and dirt roads to a somewhat disappointing waterfall. After a tasty meal of fish sticks, canned beans, and rice (I was responsible for 2nites menu), we headed across the steet to watch rugby. The good guys won! The All Blacks beat Aus. clinching the tri-nations championship. We plan to stay 1 more night here to actually relax (that was today's plan before the activities got the best of us). ... read more

timing

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty September 1st 2005

PHYSIO DAVE

Just a very quick blog to let people know we haven't forgotten about blogging we just haven't had the time as yet. Hoping to update in next couple of days. Everyone enjoying themselves and coping with jetlag very well. Write aqgain soon Love Gem and Dave... read more

Back Pipes in the Bay

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty » Whakatane July 22nd 2005

The pipe

Kiwi Candy

You'd never guess it was the middle of winter in Whakatane. I took my boys and niece down to the infamous :Pipe" where myself and a few older mischief cousins and their friends would runaway to from all the chores of farm life and boring black and whte television. The pipe runs over an inlet into the main Whakatane river and before I was born my mother and her brothers would have to ride a horse and cart into it to get water for cleaning and laundry. It seems pretty backwards but it made for some good down home folk and the kids love being in the wide open spaces away and the pressures of city life to dress and speak a certain way. Back at the homestead you dont even have to wear clothes if ... read more

Kiwifruit kapital

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty » Tauranga June 24th 2005

Yum

We've been staying in Tauranga (kiwi fruit picking country and back in the Bay of Plenty again) and really just chilling out and doing a little preparation for Australia. We've been out Mount Maunganui for some beach walks (but the hill itself is still closed following last month's washouts) and also managed to see "Batman Begins" (we don't usually rate superhero/comic book movies but any film that has the main protagonist menacingly declaring the famous line "I'm Bat-man" before headbutting his unlucky opponent it alright by us!). Tomorrow we drive to Auckland...... read more

A spot of rain

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty » Whakatane May 22nd 2005

Cat and 2 hungry backpackers!

On wednesday, we drove north up through Gisbourne to Tokomaro Bay on the spectacular east cost. The drive took us most of the day but as it was raining solidly this was fine. The next morning the weather was a little better, although it had rained all night, and we walked to Cook's Cove (where Captain Cook first landed in NZ) through the boggiest marshes and marshiest bogs imaginable. Despite Tim managing to fall over twice (first in the mud, secondly in something the sheep had left as an amusing joke) and having to spend the rest of the day in shorts and sandals (all other clothes being quarantined in thick plastic bags in the boot) we managed to maintain high spirits - even when, later in the day, no-one turned up to let us in ... read more

Walking on the moon

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty » Whakatane May 5th 2005

Latest fashions...

Willow

I came here to visit White Island, New Zealands only marine volcano some 50km off shore. I was booked onto a trip for the day after I arrived but wasn't tooo hopeful that it would be going out - I'd met people in Rotorua who'd had their trip cancelled again and again due to bad weather, in the end they got out on the fourth day of trying!! As it turned out I couldn't have chosen a better day! We only had 20 on our boat, compared to nearer 50 the day before and the 100 or so that they might take out in the summer and a lovely sunny day for it too. The trip was one of the best that I've been on - definately worth all the sea sickness on the way out!!! ... read more

Brief history of New Zealand

The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year...more history

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