Hard to top yesterday but we sailed around the hole in the rock. I would have taken some pictures but we were all feeling a bit queasy as we hit the open sea. So we sailed back to shelter and climbed up a hill for a view over the Bay of Islands. Ellie got lots more kayaking practice going across a bay to another beach and then 'surfing' as she kayaked through the rocky gaps that the tide was surging through. With sad hearts we sailed back to Paihia and said goodb...

Amazing day - best ever for Ellie. Started with going diving for mussels- but I wasn't great. Girls dug sand castles on the beach and Ellie made a 'I love NZ' sign. A sailing trip out to the hole in the rock then snorkeling before lunch. The girls fed fish from their hands with 'invasive' shellfish. Then fresh mussels off the Barbie - everyone devoured. After lunch we went into a sheltered bay where dolphins were playing - jumping and splashing. Then the girls ...

We set off on our cruise of the the bay of islands. With the great news that the other people on the our sailing boat are a family with three kids close in age to ours. The weather is gorgeous and light winds for a not very sailor family. The kids had a great time kayaking to the beach, hiking to a view point and playing on the beach. Gorgeous sunsets as the boat anchors in a beautiful deserted bay a fantastic start to our NZ vacation