Wednesday 12th November

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Of great significance to all who live here is the Waitangi Treaty Grounds where the founding document of modern New Zealand was signed between the United Kingdom and the United Tribes of New Zealand in 1840. Interestingly, two versions were signed at first and it seems that the English copy referred to "sovereignty" by the British Crown while the Maori copy translated this word as "governance".

The Treaty House has been completely renovated and contains many artefacts, paintings, drawings and photographs of relevant documents.

The world's largest waka, or war canoe, is on display here. It is over thirty five metres in length and took two years to build from three great kauri trees. Eighty warriors paddle it when it is launched on February 6th each year (Waitangi Day). Kupe, the great Polynesian navigator, used a canoe like this when he left home to find other lands to colonise. He discovered New Zealand or Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud, about 1200 years ago, and settled down.

Jean

Vintage display

A small museum near our B and B in Kerikeri displayed some fine vintage cars from the 1920s which the owner had collected over the years.

A separate section dealt with life locally over the last 100 years or so and included various artefacts/icons from yesteryear - washing tubs, mangles, soap powder, large tape recorders, Senior Service cigarette packets, cash tills, Cerebos salt etc. All too close for comfort. A replica of a schoolroom also showed instructions to teachers in 1915 which among other things forbade women to marry at any time during the term of their employment and wear at least 2 petticoats when at school.

Earlier in the day visited Doubtless Bay, another picturesque spot with a mini-heritage trail outlining an interesting history linked for a time to whaling. This was our most northerly point in NZ. Dave

A policeman's lot

This rather nice property in Russell enjoys stunning views over the harbour looking towards Paihia on the other side. It is in fact the local police station/house and has been so for the last century or so. Must be the best cop shop in the southern hemisphere. A pleasure to be nicked there.

I biked round Russell which from the other side of town has great views of the Bay of Islands, my way of seeing them. Captain Cook and I were both born near Middlesbrough but similarities end there. His sailing exploits included happening on the Bay of Islands which prompted the opening of the country. Mine were restricted to the 15-minute crossing on the ferry to Russell from Paihia on the good ship Bay Belle. Dave

11th November (5)

"Black Rocks" showing columnar jointing formed during a volcanic eruption when basaltic lava cooled quickly as it came into contact with the sea.

Jean

11th November (4)

One of the views from Urupukapuka.
Jean

11th November (3)

"Hole in the Rock" - a magnificent sea arch.

Jean

11th November (2)

The Bay is vast and contains over one hundred and forty islands, large and small, Urupukapuka covering over 200 hectares and the tiny ones being little more than rocky masses protruding from the sea.
The whole trip was a geographer’s paradise, with the variety of rocks, landforms and vegetation interesting throughout. Historical landmarks were pointed out in the commentary, some of the islands had colonies of birds and the we spotted a bottle nose dolphin. An opportunity to swim with dolphins had been advertised which I had taken up, so at this point I, with two young German lads, kitted up with wetsuits and masks. This was the only disappointing part of the trip as the dolphin disappeared but it fun, not to mention challenging, to be in a position to be alongside a dolphin.
We spent lunchtime on Urupukapuka Island and I opted to climb up to a wonderful lookout point which gave spectacular views on three sides. I wished I was fitter on the ascent, but made it without any real problems.
What a special day, the sea sparkling in the sun, the swell of the waves and the feeling that nothing can better this.

Wow!

Jean

Tuesday 11th November 2008

Bay of Islands

On Sunday Dave and I had been discussing highlights and lowlights for each of the weeks we’ve spent away so far, the lowlights being easy to define as there’ve been so few of them, highlights more difficult to put in order as different types of pleasure are sometimes less easy to measure against each other.
No problem with Number One on the list now though! The full day cruise round the Bay of Islands wins hands down.

Leaving Paihia in our wake shown in photo!

Jean