Merry Christmas everyone!

Bay of Islands: . . . and hello Australasia!

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December 22nd 2006
Firstly, Merry Christmas everyone! Compared to South America, travel in New Zealand almost seems like cheating: I mean, everyone speaks English, something I had grown so accustomed to not hearing that it is taking a little adjustment to being in an English-speaking country again! Having said that, it is wonderfully refreshing and I'm going to make the most of finding travelling and communicating ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands

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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