Bounty Inn Paihia

... here on February 6th 1840 (it's been drilled into my head - I didn't even have to look that up), the Treaty of Waitangi. All of the Maori chiefs and some important British gentlemen (namely Governor Hobson) got together and the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Basically it stipulated that the Maori would become subjects of the Queen and that in return they would be protected by England. Things have not been quite that simple ...

Von Pahia nach Pukenui
(Northland, der Verwaltungsbezirk nördlich von Aukland; Hauptstadt:Whangarei)
mit Rene


In Pahia, einem modernen, touristischen Zentrum liegt das kleine Witianga-ein geschichtsträchtiger Ort an sich, denn hier wurde am 6. Februar 1840 ein Vertrag zwischen Maoris und der Englischen Krone geschlossen. Dieser besagt, dass die Maoristämme ungetrübten Besitz von Land, Wälder und Fischgründen haben sollten ...

... we had met on route whilst the girls went to bed. 14th April 2009 Today we had booked a day trip to Cape Reinga, this was a full day which meant leaving early. Picked up outside the hostel at 7.10am by a bus designed especially for sand conditions and off we set for an adventure packed day. The far north where we were heading is very sacred and spiritual to Maori. Our first stop was at the Puketi Kauri Forest. Some of the Kauri at Puketi are approximately 2000 years ...

... 3 holes. But that could have been the rental clubs, not knowing the course, not playing since September, or maybe being completely sober. Surprisingly, I actually got a lot better after that, shot a 50 on the front, and a 41 on the back. Kinda wanted to steal the rental irons that I was given since I was hitting them so well. Id love to get ...

... get a room, or leave pahia, so trauled aorund looking for accomm at 9am and then had to get a taxi to the riverside lodge out of town as it was the only place to stay. it has been a bit of an organisational disaster. but we got a place and it wasnt 200dollars a night like some places, so that was good. there was five of us from my dorm so we all went up together adn it was actually really nice cos it was right by a river and a waterfall ...

... we stopped at Urupukapuka Island and left the boat at Russell. We had lunch at the Duke of Marlborough hotel (the oldest in New Zealand). Then it was a ferry trip back to Paihia and then returning to Oponoui with a brief stop at Haruru Falls. We were at tired after the early start and finished the day drinking wine (and lemonade) and playing cards.

... three amazingly sunny and relaxing days in Paihia, the bay of Islands. It is the perfect place to chill out and relax, in this tropical paradise! We have been staying at another great YHA situated just 50m from the long sandy beach and clear blue and green waters of the Pacific Ocean. Our first day was to be a chill out day on the beach. We threw down our bags and settled on the beach for the afternoon. This proved to be a disaster for Heather and the sun ...

... as they are required to give (an unspecified) amount of money to the DOC, there was something mightily unsatisfying about paying $30 to watch dolphins swim away from you as you freeze your nuts off! So the cruise didn't turn out to be free afterall - still pretty cheap though and at least I can say I've swam with dolphins, even if I'd never do it again! I actually felt very refreshed from the swim and since my motto while travelling is 'no regrets' I was quite ...

... Haruru Falls, which means 'big noise' - a name which was very apt. This is a 5km walk each way but fairly easy. Unfortunately I kept stopping to take photos so it took us a bit longer than it should have done. After returning from our walk we grabbed a bit of lunch and then caught the ferry to Russell, which used to be known as Kororareka, which is a little town across the water from Paihia, and takes 20 mins to get there. From the ...

... of old buildings with shops, cafes and hotels. We enjoyed a nice lunch outdoors at a cafe along of the waterfront of corn fritters and clam chowder. After that, we persuaded ourselves to walk up the 300 foot Flagstaff Hill where we got a nice view of the Bay of Islands and found a geocache.