Inside the crater

Papamoa Beach and the White Island volcano

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October 7th 2011
We arrived in Papamoa Beach on Wednesday evening, leaving behind the sulphourous Rotorua. We're staying at the parents of George's friend Mark in a fantastic beach side property designed and built by the owner. We overlook the beach which is 2 minutes walk away. Unfortunately it's also the bay where the large container ship ran aground (we can see it from where we are staying) so th ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty » White Island

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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... ... read more