Hotel Paihia

... people believe that their spirit transcends the land and passes to the other world there, through a Tapu (sacred) Pojutukawa tree growing in the cliff. It's the northern-most point of NZ, with a little lighthouse on it. It is the most beautiful place that we have ever been to:but I'm sure that's going to change fairly often! It actually took our breath away - quite literally as it was soooo windy!! The weather here is so weird ...

... hill and watched the rest of them boarding. A few people came flying off their boards and that was enough for me to be quite sure that I didn't want to do it. Alan on the other hand was determined to have a go. On his first go though he hurt his back coming over a bump and I heard him shout out from where I was sitting. When he came to a stop at the end he moved out of the way of the next person coming down and just sat down holding his back. Since Alan doesn't normally make a big ...

... course of 3 months we were always going to get our fair share of both good and bad weather during the Oceanic winter. We've still very much enjoyed our time here relaxing safe in the knowledge that we will be able to expend our energy and money in other places along the way. Next up for us is Rotorua, with an overnight stay back in Auckland tomorrow on the way. It's just started pouring again...any ducks reading this who fancy a trip away please take note!:)

... per night share with 4). The weather is a balmy 26C and we're off to explore. A short ferry ride across the bay to Russell Island - in Maori -Kororareka -sweet penguin . When Captain Cook sailed Endeavour to Bay of Island s in 1769 the town was already an established settlement for the Maori. Later known as the Hell Hole of the Pacific - with whalers and sealers lookin g for onshore entertainment - Kokorareka is now the very epitome ...

... to the Bay of Islands to climb Mt. Puheke and take some pictures from up there.  The estimated time to get there was 45 mins (this was OUR estimated time) however, with Jenn driving and me navigating, it took us about 2 and a half hours and at least 3 U-turns.  We eventually found our way to the beach where we asked for further instructions on where to go to climb up, but no one had any idea.  We decided to do a little off ...

... it has the treaty house which is made entirely of wood and therefore has a lot of very impressive native carvings. I also saw a performance which included a welcome ceremony and the haka, which i have to say was really impressive. The grounds also had a gian wooden canoe that was sailed to New Zealand from the island of Hawiki. That afternoon i took a boat trip around the bay of islands and eventually to 'the hole in the rock' which is as the name suggests ...

... toilets we have seen! We arrived in Paihia, a lovely little town with stunning views. We were meant to go straight out on a four hour cruise around the islands and to see some dolphins but due to bad weather and low numbers it was cancelled. Instead we decided to visit Russell, a short ferry trip away. Russell's European history is turbulent. In 1830 it was the scene of the so called 'War of the Girls' when two pairs of Maori girls (one pair from the Northern Bay of Islands and ...

... that turned out to be from Sweden. After travelling as a backpacker for a few month's you become somewhat jaded. You are always giving the same answers to the same questions, and receiving the same typical responses. "Where are you from?" "Canada. Wherein? What city? Is that near Quebec?" "No, but it's close, only 7000 kms away." I just say Vancouver now. That's the only western city anyone has ...

... standard of the snorkelling has nothing on the Great Barrier Reef, the water was murky and there was very little exciting to see. The boat's crew managed to catch a load of mussels and pick some sea urchins for us to try later. Lunchtime was spent on Robertson's Island and most of us climbed to the highest point of the island to take in the wonderful view, hear the stories about the island and get a group photo. We then ate our pack lunch down by ...