Another gorge

Day 66: Napier to Taupo

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February 3rd 2011
I woke early, split my ersatz king bed (two twins pushed together) back into its component parts, and returned the two extra pillows and the hot-water bottle to Reception. At 10 I checked out; at 10:30 I left the hostel and made the 15-minute walk to the bus stop. At 10:46, the moment of the 1931 earthquake, the cathedral bells tolled. I focussed my thoughts on them for the 2 1/2 minutes that ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Taranaki

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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