A Flipper Note

 To honor my hard work ethic, I celebrated Labour Day on 22 October by heading up North to the Bay of Islands. James Cook came to New Zealand in 1769 and charted both North and South Islands, giving the area its present name. There's 144 islands in this bay mate! (Next time I'm going off the grid with only a kayak, a paddle and myself - plus some drink.)

A Flipper Note

What better way to explore 144 islands than on a dolphin and harbour cruise. Firstly, I was able to see a HOLE IN THE ROCK! Talk about seeing something world famous! Yupp, it's exactly as it sounds.

Tourist Trap

Windy and Blue

The Skipper on the Explore NZ Bay of Islands told me quite a bit of new information relating to dolphins aka (I forget the fancy as scientific name). However, they have sex nearly 20 times an hour and the female dolphins have this amazing reproduction ability to simply not choose to give birth after having sex with an incompatible partner - shame Todd Akin became confused between people and dolphins.

I see dolphins

Otehei Bay on Ukipukapuka Island (that was the verbal password to regain entry to the boat) was literally in East Jesus Nowhere. But delicious! I'm camping out there next - remember, when I go of the grid! (It's Point A on the pic below)

Birthing a Nation

Any history buff, non-history buff, tourist or individual who can take a breath of course is drawn to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, or the place where NZ was born. As I'm not a NZ citizen or resident, I forked over the $25 for this amazing tourist trap (seems to be a common theme here).

I witnessed where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed (that's like the American Constitution in Kiwi-land). Yup, you guess it, this treaty was just as bloody and long as any other new country founding. How they understand it is beyond me. Pretty sure most high school teachers would give ya a big 'F' for turning in a paper like this:

Treaty of Waitangi

The Waitangi meeting hut (or Te Whare Runanga for those learning Maroi) in Waitangi is jaw dropping beautiful. 'Runanga' means "to discuss in assembly" Carvings are of tribal ancestors with major tribal art styles being reprsented in the reed panels (tukutuku) and painted rafter patterns (kowhaiwhai). The pictures below don't even do it justice. I'd solemnly declare you must see this with your naked eye!

Meeting House

The Maori Waka (Canoe) puts to shame anything I've seen. The thing was massive with such intricately beautiful carvings - just like the meeting hut! Minimum of 76 paddlers required as it is 35 meters (or 115 feed) long.   Yes, each carving has a different meaning.

Ngatokimatawhaorua (Yes, that's the name of the canoe)

A Kauri tree I did see. What a behemoth this is. Of course the wood was used for canoe and ship building as well as timber. According to DOC (Department of Conservation), these trees live for 2,000 years and have a 16 meter (52.5 feet) trunk girth.

Chopped Kauri tree

Russel

Nicknamed the Hell Hole of the Pacific. The first NZ licensed pub was here....now we all know where that glamorous name comes from. A bunch of whalers don't exactly create a utopia. What a boring sh*t hole this place was. One thing I did find is New Zealand's oldest operating service station (building dated 1930):

Gasoline Alley, Russel NZ