Russell the old Capital

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Went to Russell accross the bay by ferry. This was briefly the old capital and a very lawless town in the 1800's. Ships containing numerous nationalities would pull into the bay and the sailors would behave like sailors of the time. A French missionery named Montpellier arrived in 1863 and set up a printing press to produce bibles in the Maori language. He was very influential in the signing of the treaty between the British and the Maoris.

Had a very good lunch in the oldest Inn on NZ then took the ferry back to Pahia. Only a 20 minute crossing but very rough seas.

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Photos

Montpellier's house
Look sue I think it's the tricolor

Montpellier's house
Can I take this plant home?

Russell church
A simple but fine example

Russell-Pahia ferry
Do I really have to go back on this, it's blowing a gale out there