Blogs from Paihia, Northland, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

Woke up early and headed to the wharf to catch a sailboat for the day. Sailed with Mike, the captain, and a family from OZ and another couple. Great day and beautiful weather!... read more

The weather was wet and wild last night! The water collection system was well feed through the early hours of the night. After the rain let up, the wind came in and tested the resolve of the house's shutters. The scampering of feet echoed through the house under the cover of pre-dawn darkness. After it persisted, I decided to go downstairs and assess the damage. The kitchen presented a surprising scene - all three kids preparing a breakfast of eggs, toast and crumpets! I was outright shocked to see Ivy in the fray. This pleasant sight was followed by another. Upon heading outside to check out the view and undo the shutters, the wind had subsided and the stormy weather had given way to relatively calm skies. I hope it holds out! Thanks to the breakfast ... read more

Saturday 1st March Up in time to get out to the Post Shop again, and once again it's raining. Peter says that the dive boats aren't out today as it's too rough, and when I get picked up by the Magic Bus apparently all the boat trips today have been cancelled at Paihia too - there's a gale blowing in! We're not sure what that means for my overnight boat cruise (Rock the Boat) tonight - they haven't called it yet! Not too far to Paihia, where I have to wait to find out about my trip. In the meantime I dump everything in Klara's room and accompany Klara and Becky for lunch... And to find my cloth badge(s). Finally find out that the trip is on so grab a picnic lunch and pull my stuff ... read more

The Bay of Islands has a reputation - a must see for visitors, and I can see why. A beautiful harbour, lots of islands, and plenty to do. You can go fishing, sailing or cruising for any length of time you like, in a boat of any size you choose. Here you need to have savings, unless you just watch others having fun!!. We took a mornings boat ride round the islands and through the famous hole in the rock, and as a bonus we found 2 pods of dolphins that raced alongside and leaped in the air right beside the boat. Alex also did a hair raising very fast and splashy sort of trip. The hostel had kayaks you could borrow, so we did a bit of sea kayaking (she writes nonchalantly), it was good, ... read more

A superb day. We joined a small number ot others for a day trip into the Bay Of Islands on a large catamaran. The weather smiled on us. For fun, I helped haul the mainsail which was hard work. It was georgous sailing through the bay. We stopped at a lovely island where we were ferried ashore by inflatable. A walk to the viewpoint at the top of the island gave us splendid vistas over the bays many islands. In the distance we could see leaping dolphins playing beside pleasure boats. Soon after leaving the island the dolphins joined us briefly and porpoised by our boat. At a lunch stop anchored by a beach I went snorkelling in the cold but crystal clear water. Jen took to a kayak and paddled to me. It was ... read more