Blogs from Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 18

Today was a resting-day, between two excursions. Tomorrow I go to Cape Reinga, an all-day venture. I decided to go find a local landmark, The Old Stone Church. I never got there, but I had an exciting day anyhow. I had noticed a large ship in the harbor at breakfast, but it wasn't until I got into town that I realized that it was a cruise ship. Throngs of people were milling about near the visitors' center. Volunteers were directing traffic, grouping the tourists into cohorts so that the zebra crossing at the visitors' center would not become an impassable barrier for motor vehicles. In a grassy field across from the visitors' center, artisans had set up tents in hopes of sales to the visitors. Most of the items were either too expensive, too bulky ... read more

Today was the first of my three scheduled excursions, all with Fuller's Great Sights: the Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett cruise. I made it in to the wharf in 20 minutes, rather to my surprise, which meant that I had half an hour to wait. The clerk at Great Sights gave me poor advice: she told me to wait until the official boarding time to go onto the wharf itself. It's a good thing I only partially followed her advice, as there was a long line on the wharf within fifteen minutes of my arrival. At that point I asked someone else if the Hole in the Rock cruise was loading yet, and was told that it was, so I got in line. Actually, I got in the wrong line; two tour boats ... read more

I was really excited when mum told me that we were going to try and swim with the dolphins. The Bay of islands is in the very north of the North Island in NewZealand and is famous for the dolphins that live there. There are over 400 named dolphins that live just in the bays off Paihai and Russell. We were going to go and try and swim with them and then take a speed boat out to a place called the hole in the wall. There are lots of rules about how and when you can swim with the dolphins. For example it is illegal to swim with dolphins if there are baby dolphins or Juvenile dolphins in the pod. Also we can only swim with them if it looks like they want to play ... read more

We've been at the Bay of Islands and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where in 1840 the founding document of New Zealand as a nation was signed. This was done with the majority of the Maori tribes along with the British government. As with so many native treaties signed around the world, the Maori people were also subjected to broken promises and their land stolen from them. On the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are both the British house and the Maori ceremonial house, where many meetings and celebrations took place. Both of these facilities are the originals, and have been very well preserved. I was especially impressed by the Maori building with all of the intricate carvings, and the stories each one of them told of their lives long ago. One evening we attended an acting/musical performance with ... read more

Hello everyone! Had a great time in Auckland. Boat trips, museums, zoo, explorer bus, beach, cinema (and singing with Harikrishna group!). It was good to see a Starbucks and Subway again (and there was even a Specsavers). I contemplated (briefly) impressing you by doing the Sky Tower jump or doing the Sky Walk!). Can you imagine? Lots to do in Auckland and weather was very good. Have hired a car for 3 months and am now travelling the North Shore. It's beautiful up here but the rain has at last found me! Never mind, I'm in a lovely hostel in Okiato, Russsell, which has a fantastic view across the harbour.Tomorrow I'm going on an overnight cruise round Bay of Islands - lots of activities including kayaking - should be fun. Next day taking the tour bus ... read more