Bay of Islands

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We took the east coast highway northwards (stopping only for one night in Orewa) to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. As we drove through Auckland, the fabled sub-tropical climate of the North was kicking-in and soon we knew we were leaving the bad weather behind us.

In Paihia, the first thing we did was to go our for a slap-up chinese banquet to celebrate Tim's quitting-smoking-anniversary, where Emma was lucky(?) enough to get to try raw oysters for the first time (and enjoyed them although she prefers them cooked and battered in true kiwi style!!).

We took the ferry, the next day, over to Russell - one of NZ's most historic towns - and followed a self-guided walk around the town and up and over Flagstaff hill.

We also spent a day in Waitangi (exploring the site of the 1840 treaty between indigenous Maori and Victoria's representives which created the modern NZ as we know it).

We also got chance to find a pub with sky tv in time for the opening Lions tour game - quite an experience.

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