Our first walk on the beach on way from the Auckland airport to Paihia and the Bay of Islands.
Looks like fun.
Marilyn and Nancy on the beach.
Big tree - a Kauri
Can you see us at the base of the tree?
The Milam's and Sommers'. There used to be lots of Kauri trees in NZ and they were harvested as a valuable natural resource.
Native flora (trees and growth).
Hay, we're in New Zealand!
A slice of a tree. Impressive. We visited the Kauri Museum in Matakohe.
Cross-section of the Kauri -- it took a long time to grow.
Kauri furniture is very nice.
Gum from the trees. It used to be burned as fuel, but now is art.
The Lord Collection.
A surprise inspection of our bus. See Logan inside? It (and he) passed!
Marilyn and Chuck checking out the water transportation arrangements for our Bay of Islands tour.
Anglican Church (we visited on first full day of sight seeing. Also went to a winery and had a great lunch.
Inside the Anglican mission church.
This fence needs painting.
Nice place to spend some time.
The minister's home called the Te Waimate Mission House. This is NZ's 2nd oldest house. It was built by Rev. Samuel Marsden in 1831.
Warm and cozy. We got to visit the inside of the minister's house.
This is how kiwi fruit grows. Who knew?
We saw these during a wonderful bus tour of the area near the Bay of Islands. The stone house, bridge and white house were nice.
Carolyn and Tom walked up to this lookout that was used as a local stronghold by the Maori tribe. Good view.
I liked this fisherman's hat.
I like this hat, too. Marilyn belted in Nancy's hat so it wouldn't be blown away like happened to another one over in Australia.
Our driver and friend, Logan, with Nancy
A depiction of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Captain William Hobson, who became the NZ Lt-Gov is shown.
The treaty signing area.
This Maori meeting house was built in 1942 at the Treaty of Waitangi signing site. All the tribes that had participated in the original 1840 signing helped build this meeting house.
Each vertical carved pole is for a different tribe and tells a story about that tribe.
They like to stick out their tongues to try to intimidate visitors. Big eyes, too.
Waitange treaty area is beautiful.
Long Maori war canoe made from kauri tree.
En route to Russell that had been known at the hell-hole of the Pacific when it was a seaman's town a few year's back.
Russell pier. We had dinner here in the Duke of Marlborough Hotel.
Out on the bay.
That's not a shark --- it's a dolphin!
The dolphins were all over the place.
Real pretty out here --- but the ride was wild. Lots of waves and Captain Tom loved it!
The lighthouse is way up on the hill.
How would you like to have to walk to work here?
Striking views.
We made it to the Hole in the Rock when others didn't. In calm seas, you can pass through the hole -- not today.
Nancy is wind blown. Looks good!
Tom with the hole in the rock in the background.
We stopped at an island for a picnic lunch up on the hill with the goats and sheep. A good climb!
That's our cat down in the little harbor.
Nancy, Carolyn and our OAT Tour Director, David.
What a backdrop for a picture.
Here comes Marilyn and Chuck!!
Nice picture and they weren't even breathing hard.
Chuck came prepared with wine and a smile.
Oh, the good life.
What a great afternoon.
Carolyn and Nancy looking happy.
The Milam's with our cat in the background.
Nice picture of Chuck and Marilyn.
More of the bay.
See the bird in the tree. What is it?
David led Chuck and Tom on a walk to the Haruru Falls.
More birds.
The Haruru Falls where Logan was waiting with the bus and, most importantly, a six-pack of good beer and some snacks. Made for a nice ending to a great hike for the men.
