Bay of Islands

Trip Start Jan 28, 2008
1
8
42
Trip End May 27, 2008


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Where I stayed
Strawberry Fields B&B
(Auckland hotels)

Flag of New Zealand  ,
Sunday, February 10, 2008

Feb 9 (8th to you). This was it. Our first chance to try out our driving skills on the wrong, that is left side of the road. I made sure that I got an automatic so tht I wouldn't have to shift gears with my left hand. Nevertheless I don't know how many times I turned on the windshield wipers (left hand) when I meant to put on the turn signal (right hand).


We made through Auckland all right and were fine through (Whageua) visting the docklands, the cafes, and a spectacular waterfall. Pictures are a side view only as we didn't try the 535 steps down to the bottom (about 300 feet).


Just as we turned off the main highway heading into the Bay of Islands we encountered our first heart attack. The sign said one way (and it wasn't the way we were heading). By instinct I pulled off to the right (wrong) side of the road to the surprise of the cars waiting to cross the "one way" bridge. What it meant was that it was a one lane bridge and only one way could go at a time. One lesson learned, I'm sure there'll be more. We handled the roundabouts without much difficulty because where we found them there was'nt much traffic.


We stayed at the Strawberry Fields B&B in Paihai and took a ferry ride over to Russell (the first European capital in NZ). We thought Canada's history was short, trees planted by the first settlers were planted in the 1830's.


We booked a half-day boat ride around the Bay of Islands to see the Hole in the Rock and (guaranteed) dolphins. It's raining now (really the first we've had, the other rain in Rarotongo was at night). We'll let you know.
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Comments

newbies
newbies on Feb 10, 2008 at 10:31AM

Drive Carefully
Enjoy the boat ride and seeing the Dolphins.

You'll just get used to driving on the left side and then come home and have to learn all over again, the right side.

Love J & C

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