Sunday 5th February - Waitangi Day We could not have chosen a better weekend to be where we were staying, which was close to the place where the treaty was signed between the British and the Maori on this day in 1840. Lots going on, including the local Maori re-enacting the tribes arriving in their Kawa (war canoes). We were treated to the Haka which was pretty convincing!. Photos athttp://photobucket.com/albums/w452/paulnharris1954/Paul and Jen on tour/Waitang...

Saturday 4th Feb- 90 Mile Beach. We went on a bus trip to the very north of New Zealand. It was a full 12 hour day, with a stop at a Gumdigger (Amber) exibition. This gum seaped from the Kauri trees about 100,000 years ago and was in great demand 150 years ago. Conditions were certainly primitive for the diggers. Our main stop was a Cape Reigna, the northern most point of the island. This area has great significance for Maoris who believe that the spirits of ...

Friday 3rd February. Arrived at Cooks Lookout Motel in Paihia late on Thursday. Very nice Motel and very welcoming hosts. We have a lovley view from our studio and patio. We have been out on a boat trip this morning around the Bay of Islands and have seen a pod of Orca ( Killer Whales). No dolphins around but that may be no great surprise!. The area gets its name from Captain Cook- very original- there are many islands. The sea was a bit "sloppy" acco...