Off to Bay of Islands Wednesday 16 February...no worries!

Breakfast in Auckland, a walk across to the cafe put us face to face with Jimmy, and his fellow Thai staff.  They beamed as we looked over their menu, ordering (so we thought) eggs and toast, and coffee.  Shortly we received our order: a banana and a large sausage each.  The coffee was very good, the staff friendly and proud, and our take-away...communicate, communicate.

Returning to our hotel, Mimi (who really is not competitive) stated that we had to get on our tour bus first thing, a matter of optimal seating for the drive north to Bay of Islands.  Four Brits were also waiting for the bus but they were slow.  We rejoiced in our great seats, but found five minutes later that we had to switch buses, competing once again.  Still great seats as we wound north, stopping for a meat pie, tea, and compelling vistas.  Mimi took 83 pictures.  

Learned plenty of the Maori culture at the Waitaingi Treaty House in Paihia; saw mighty Kauri trees,trees important to the Maori culture; crossed on a ferry from Paihia to the former convict/whaler/bordello settlement at Russell, ate fish and chips and dodged light showers in nice and warm outside time; walked from the ferry in Paihia along a beach to our hotel. Kiwis (the people) are friendly, Kiwis (the birds) are nocturnal, and we are doing great as our bodies are still asking “What the hell?” after our flights of four hours to LA; four hours of waiting; and 12 hours to Auckland.  Bets are in that we’ll be asleep by 8 ish tonight. 

Tomorrow, on to the northern most point on NZ, Cape Reinga, its lighthouse, a walk in the Puketi Kauri Forest, a beach barbecue, a walk and a swim on Ninety Mile Beach among other acitivities.  

Denny

ps from Mimi... 184 photos.. here are a few...

I love clarity... don't you?!!

The mighty Kauri.. bark used to make tattoo ink

Gorgeous scenery on way to Bay of Islands