Viaduct Harbour

Taupo, Auckland and Russell

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April 10th 2010
We had torrential last night and woke to heavy cloud. A leisurely start for a change and then off to Lake Taupo, a short journey (2 ½ hours). Drove out along the coast through Napier and its suburbs. Passed through some low lying wetlands with lots of water birds, then out through vineyards, olive groves, lavender farms and orchards. Lots of fruit stalls on the road selling fruit and veg. Through ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand

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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