Twin Pines Tourist Park Bay of Islands

... the 4 sisters (4 huge Kauri trees all growing together, they have joined at the base). On our way back we had a downpour of rain and both got drenched.<br><br>We headed South, the rain still coming down, and the Sun came out, to provide the most spectacular rainbow. We could actually see the end of the rainbow but it moved away as we got closer! So no treasure unfortunately.<br><br>We wanted to ...

... fortified village).<br><br>Then we sailed back to the mainland, passing a number of other islands on the way. The Bay of Islands is made up of 144 islands &amp; is known as the 'birthplace' of the nation.<br><br>After the boat trip, we drove to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, which comprises of 506 hectares &amp; includes the site where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed on Feb 6th 1840. Rich is resource, the Bay attracted early Polynesian ...

... in the late 1700's and made contact with the indigenous Maori people. The Bay of Islands look amazing for sailing (and according to Morgan's dad Gary who sailed here years ago it is) and it was making us wish we were on a sailboat. We had an enjoyable but pretty mello New Years knowing that we were going to get up bright and early to make the 7 hour drive to Rotorua the next day.

So we left the blog as we arrived in to New Zealand and that was actually 3 months ago to the day! We have severely neglected our updating since then which is a little sad as i know people have been keeping an eye on it but here goes, a total update with pics and all! It will be kept up to date from here so please keep checking in!! So back to the North island! After arriving in Auckland we eventually got to the hostel about 3 in the ...

... it a quick once over and started her up. CRIKEY she's loud!, 2.5 Litres of Rattling Shaky Diesel Engine. We set off from Albany at around 10:30am heading North towards the Bay of Islands, and we started to get a little worried about the van almost immediately. The indicators stopped working as we pulled onto the main motorway #1, and trying to get up that first hill was a nigh on impossibility. About 5-10 Km's down the road we stopped to fill up with Diesel and ...

... me up lots and I ended up having a few drinks with him at the hostel bar and having quite a fun evening. Saturday 14th June I spent this morning in town with Mikey; he had a list of things he needed to buy, and unfortunately I'm getting to know this city like the back of my hand, so we shopped for the morning and then went for a coffee. My Italian friend Johanna, who had her bag (and passport) stolen shortly before I did, is also back in Auckland ...

We had booked a tour for Sunday, through Dune-Rider as we wanted to see Cape Reinga, and Ninety Mile Beach. You are normally not allowed to take rental cars onto the beach so this was a good way of getting to see both places, as well as a couple of other places. It was an early start - we were picked up from the hotel at 7.15am, and after the rest of the pickups we were on our way to Puketi Forest to look at the giant Kauri trees. This is not the site of ...

My last few days in Paihia weren't all that great. The weather turned **** and there was still enough of a flu to make me feel un-social. I did manage to get to Waitangi and the treaty grounds. Waitangi is where they consider the birth of New Zealand to have happened. A peace treaty with the Maori was signed, which made New-Zealand a colony, and gave the Maori rights of citizens. Considering how land ...

... parked up, wow!! what views we had, we had our tea, looking out over the views, then as dusk fell, BLOODY MOSQUITOS!!!!!!!!!!! Attacked again, swarmed within 5 minutes of getting attacked, realising we were, getting sprayed and creamed and covered, it was all too late, they had got our blood!!!! Christ they are evil, and everyone says that New Zealand is a gorgeous country, but noone warns you about the mosquitos here, they are like ...

... us with wetsuits that went down to elbows and knees to help compensate, it wasn&#8217;t quite the same as wearing my own thick steamer covering down to wrists and ankles which I rely on at the beach all year round to keep me toasty. So after we swam back to the cat and I lay on the deck trying to draw the sun's rays in an attempt to warm up, I began to shiver a little bit. In fact, some of the others ...