New Zealand Blog March 25th, 2016
March 26, 2016 at 8:37 AM
Bay of Islands, Waterfalls and Russell
Today we spent the day photographing and exploring around the Bay of Islands, and you could not ask for a better place to enjoy New Zealand life than the Bay of Islands.
We started the day by visiting Treaty House, were the treaty was signed between the British and the Maori. They have a great interpretative centre show casing the treaty signing . Visitors leave with a great understanding how the two worlds came together in early New Zealand history. We also visited Haruru Falls and later in the afternoon took the ferry across to the village of Russell and hiked to flagstaff. The highpoint look out at Russell.
Tomorrow we head back to Auckland then on to Rotorua. Here are a few shots from todays trek.
Entrance into the grounds of Treaty House.
Some of the forest that surrounds Treaty House.
This is Treaty House were the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.
More of the beautiful trails around the Treaty House grounds.
Many beautiful flowers as you walk along the pathway.
Maori long boat house. The carvings were amazing.
One of the Maori carvings on the front of the long boat.
Haruru Falls
A kayak just below the waterfalls.
Gail taking a few shots at Haruru Falls.
Alexa making sure the windows are clean for photography. Paul in the background.
This is Mission House located 15 kms from Treaty House, this is where early mission people were based and taught.
Some Maori cutting flax for weaving purposes. They were explaining to some of the group what they were doing.
Kiwi fruit is almost ready for harvest and this is the vines they grow on.
Each field is surrounded by bamboo plants to keep out the wind as it will damage the kiwi fruit.
This is a New Zealand Shag bird flying by.
This afternoon we took the short ferry ride to the village of Russell.
Once in Russell we had lunch then hiked to flagstaff look out to enjoy the view of the islands.
It was quite the hike but the view was worth it. Looking out to sea.
The view back across the bay, it was a beautiful afternoon.
Looking down on the village of Russell.
The view back to Russell, if you look from the left and follow the horizon you will see the flagstaff from flagstaff look out. It's about one third in.
A tall ship that takes you out for day sea excursions.
Para sailing in the late afternoon.
Back on our side of the bay and the walk back to the hotel.
Oyster Catcher eating along the shore.
A view of the harbour by our hotel, just before sunset.
Ron stops to pose by one of the many trees along the footpath back to our hotel this evening.
Ron enjoying his catch of the day. Ron choose to go deep sea fishing this morning and the hotel cooked up his fresh catch when he got back. Nice work Ron! Enjoy your dinner.
Thats it for todays photos and stories, tomorrow we head back to Auckland then on to Rotorua. Good Night from New Zealand.