THE PACIFIC

First full day-am I really here?

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February 20th 2009
Woke this morning to a light rain that got progressively worse and continued all day -After breakfast at a local cafe I headed east. I am "treated" to my first curvey and hilly roads. The scene is very tropical with furns, palms and other coastal flora. As the road broke onto the coast just before Kuaorunu, I had my first oh WOW moment. Pouring rain, 10ft rolling surf and large volcanic rocks on ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Coromandel

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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