(Good Friday) and a Waka down the River

 

 

Today is Good Friday and all of New Zealand start their Easter holiday so not many stores were open.   We took some pictures outside Sheryl’s home.  We took a walk in her neighborhood and saw and smelled lots of plants.   Eucalyptus trees, honey suckle flowers, palm trees, and more.    As we walked down the street we were greeted by geese that think they own the entrance to her area.    They let us past finally.      

 

When Lynette and her husband Tony came we started on our way to Pahia and the Bay of Islands.   On the way we came to a “takeaway” and got some fish and chips.   Tony drove which was nice since the New Zealanders drive on the right side of the road and he was used to it.    We still managed to take a wrong turn for about 30 miles and we stopped at a Macadamia Nut farm YUM.     We arrived in Pahia and the Bay of Islands (it was breath taking)

We woke up to a beautiful day and a flat tire.   We fixed the tire temporarily, had a yummy breakfast and headed to the WAKA JOURNEY.   

 

 

 

The WAKA guide explained all the commands to rowing and scaring the other crafts on the water.  We were on the water for about two hours as we rowed up the river to the Falls.   The guide had is nephew come to steer the WAKA, he was only twelve and the two of them really entertained us with their language and the history of the Maori people.   The weather was just perfect even the little shower was nice. After the journey was over we went to the Waitangi treaty grounds which was just up the street.   These treaty grounds were where the Maori people and the British signed a document.  It was for the tribes of Maori’s to give up the land and be protected from  each other.   The Maori’s gave up more than they thought and the treaty is still dispputed by many tribes of the Maori people.   We saw the house were the treaty was signed and the large Maori WAKA which held 80 Warriors, it was huge. After a long day in the sunshine we headed back to Aukland.    Our next little stop was a  “Ready Roast”   It was like a “Thanksgiving” dinner.    

 

 

 

 

Good night from Aukland, we will be heading to Corimondel on Sunday and have more fabulous adventures.  

Touch Down Under

 

     After 15 hours in the air, we arrived in NEW ZEALAND!    At the Airport Verne had to eat a “meat pie”   Yum it was quite good.   Weather was tropical and sunny.   It is Fall in NZ and they are enjoying their garden and late summer flowers it is beautiful.    We got  on the “off and On” bus and drove all over the town of Auckland.   We stopped at the museum and saw lots of Maori artifacts.    Sheryl met us at the airport and went with us all over the city.     Our next stop was the Skytower it is the famous tower that people bungi off and we saw some people do just that.    We went up in the observatory and then to the restaurant.   We thought of Heidi and the time we went to San Antonio, TX and had dinner in the “Hemisphere” Wasn’t that fun?  We are heading North to see the historic treaty grounds of New Zealand.   Lots of stores are closed today since it is good Friday, Rick thinks everything is closed because it’s his birthday!!!     See you soon.