lots of love
Dave & Irene
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Moving Forward But Flying Back in The Past!
Hello and good bye to all our followers.
We are leaving Auckland, NZ at 6:30 pm today March 22. We will arrive in Phoenix at 2:45 pm Arizona time and note it will still be March 22. These time lines are awesome. G'day mates and see you all soon.
lots of love
Dave & Irene
lots of love
Dave & Irene
Friday, March 16, 2012
Russell, Bay of Islands Cream Tour
The "Cream Trip" is the most extensive day cruise available in The Bay of Islands and follows the selected routes of the original Fullers trip, which began in 1927 to deliver mail and essential supplies, and to collect cream from various settlements dotted throughout the region.
We embarked at the wharf here in Russell and the trip lasted from 9:40 to 4:30pm.
Our catamaran was only half capacity so more room to move about for picture taking.
One of the two privately owned islands. They hired caretakers who also have their own residence on the property.
The Black Rocks. This is one of three locations in the world that these formations are seen. The Galapagos Islands are another. Odd creations created by volcanic activity millions of years ago.
One of the many private properties that we saw.
The caretaker here had just picked up a couple of ponies and had told our captain that if the crew brought carrots for them he would show them to the passengers on board. So all of that happened as planned.
Finally a Tui bird also seen on the way back from the hike. Note the tuft of white at the neck.
And the dolphins were everywhere on this glorious day jumping all around the boat.
Hole in The Rock at the tip of Cape Brett Peninsula. The open sea was very rough but at the rock it was decided that it was safe enough to sail through the hole. It was our lucky day!!
Going through the cave. The captain had quite a sense of humour. He said, "one of these times I'll go through here with my eyes open!!"
On the other side
Cape Brett Lighthouse only seen from the deck of our boat.
And then all those who were interested in boom netting were allowed to try this. The net was lowered from the right side and once everyone was in, the captain churned the catamaran in circles. The sun on the churned water made for awesome pictures.
This was not on the boat tour but we finally spotted the Wood Pigeon. They are a beautiful bird and quite large, about the size of a Canadian raven.
We embarked at the wharf here in Russell and the trip lasted from 9:40 to 4:30pm.
Our catamaran was only half capacity so more room to move about for picture taking.
One of the two privately owned islands. They hired caretakers who also have their own residence on the property.
The Black Rocks. This is one of three locations in the world that these formations are seen. The Galapagos Islands are another. Odd creations created by volcanic activity millions of years ago.
One of the many private properties that we saw.
The caretaker here had just picked up a couple of ponies and had told our captain that if the crew brought carrots for them he would show them to the passengers on board. So all of that happened as planned.
 |
| Otehei Bay where we stopped for lunch and some hiking. |
 |
| Awesome photo opportunity on the way back from the look out hike. |
Finally a Tui bird also seen on the way back from the hike. Note the tuft of white at the neck.
And the dolphins were everywhere on this glorious day jumping all around the boat.
 |
| Here the dolphins were chasing schools of herring. A lot of water activity. |
Hole in The Rock at the tip of Cape Brett Peninsula. The open sea was very rough but at the rock it was decided that it was safe enough to sail through the hole. It was our lucky day!!
Going through the cave. The captain had quite a sense of humour. He said, "one of these times I'll go through here with my eyes open!!"
On the other side
Cape Brett Lighthouse only seen from the deck of our boat.
 |
| more dolphins |
And then all those who were interested in boom netting were allowed to try this. The net was lowered from the right side and once everyone was in, the captain churned the catamaran in circles. The sun on the churned water made for awesome pictures.
This was not on the boat tour but we finally spotted the Wood Pigeon. They are a beautiful bird and quite large, about the size of a Canadian raven.
We leave in 5 days for the USA. What a lot of awesome pictures and video for our memoirs.
Journey to Russell, Bay of Islands
After Dave's caving adventure we looked island and started to make our way north and west. It was rainy off and on but much warmer as we were approaching the subtropical area of New Zealand. Our plan was to eventually stay in Russell on the Bay of Islands and just relax and get out of the camper for a few days.
Flax plant by the roadside. These long leaves are still used for weaving baskets and hats. The leaf can be stripped to reveal fibre used to make clothing.
Baylys Beach. At low tide it is a 110 km drivable beach. We did not drive it as our Britz van company forbids this but we did see the ATV's and 4 wheel drives exploring it.
The huge kauri trees that were bled for their sap (gum) in days gone by.
There was an area set aside in The Waipoua forest so everyone could walk through these giants.
Wild roosters begging at the side of the road.
This is our last view of The Tasman Sea at Opononi
at the mouth of Hokianga Harbour. These sand tunes are
used for sand boarding but no one was boarding that day.
From Opononi we travelled right through to Russell on the East coast. It was only approximately 70 (105 km) miles from coast to coast in that area.
This is the view from our campsite here in Russell. The weather has been very good.
The pizza oven. Never know what is going to show up!
Sunset from our site.
We walked to this lookout just a ways from our site. This is the historic
Flagpole that was erected when the Maori peoples signed the treaty with the British to make
New Zealand a British Colony. It was not a peaceful mission as not all the tribes agreed but eventually all concerned were at peace with the decision.
view of the Russell harbour from above
The Fantail. This little fellow was determined to invade our neighbour's RV. See how the tail feathers fan out in the lower picture.
Fig tree and it's fruit below
Flax plant by the roadside. These long leaves are still used for weaving baskets and hats. The leaf can be stripped to reveal fibre used to make clothing.
 |
| Gum was their 3rd largest export next to gold and lumber. |
.
The huge kauri trees that were bled for their sap (gum) in days gone by.
There was an area set aside in The Waipoua forest so everyone could walk through these giants.
Wild roosters begging at the side of the road.at the mouth of Hokianga Harbour. These sand tunes are
used for sand boarding but no one was boarding that day.
From Opononi we travelled right through to Russell on the East coast. It was only approximately 70 (105 km) miles from coast to coast in that area.
This is the view from our campsite here in Russell. The weather has been very good.
 |
| quail out for a cruise in our park |
The pizza oven. Never know what is going to show up! |
| There are 3 different "beggars" tonight. The ducks, weka hen and of course the gull. |
Sunset from our site. |
| "ARE YOU GOING TO INVITE ME IN OR NOT?" |
Pictures taken when we walked about this little village of 800 people.
We walked to this lookout just a ways from our site. This is the historic
Flagpole that was erected when the Maori peoples signed the treaty with the British to make
New Zealand a British Colony. It was not a peaceful mission as not all the tribes agreed but eventually all concerned were at peace with the decision.
view of the Russell harbour from above
 |
| Old Kauri tree near the beach in Russell |
Fig tree and it's fruit below
 |
| Persimmons |
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