This morning we got an early start on breakfast and headed into Russell to
catch the passenger ferry over to Paihia. From the ferry dock we took a 20
minute walk along the shore to Waitangi. This is the spot where the treaty
between the Maori and the British was signed making New Zealand a recognized
sovereign nation in 1844. At the visitor's center we paid admission (NZ$
8.00/person) and watch the historical video presentation. Then we began our
walking tour around the Waitangi Reserve grounds. Housed there is the world's
largest war canoe, the Maori canoe Ngatokimatawhaorua, named after the canoe in
which the Maori ancestor Kupe discovered New Zealand. Also on the grounds are
the Treaty House and a traditional Maori Meeting House. We ate lunch in the cafe
next to the visitor's center and then made our way up the road to the Haruru
Falls trailhead. The hike through the mangrove forest along Huia creek is a
pleasant 90 minutes and Haruru Falls at the end is worth the trip. The best way
to return is the same way you came. We hiked back to Paihia along the road that
runs near the falls and it was a longer and more difficult walk without trail or
sidewalks. I do not recommend this route! By the time we arrived in Paihia we
were ready for a snack, so we grabbed and ice cream cone and relaxed in the
shade by the beach before heading back to Russell on the passenger ferry.
This evening we dined at The Gables Restaurant as they were celebrating the
Bay of Islands Wine and Food Festival. Reservations were required but the
restaurant did not fill up. All the better! A group of friendly Kiwis gathered
everyone and coaxed the proprietors into putting together one large table for
all the guests. We enjoyed a wonderful, family style atmosphere with fantastic
food and drink. The guest speaker of the evening was Mr. Paul Dunleavy, owner of
the Te Motu Winery in Waiheke. He matched a different wine to each dish,
appetizer, main and desert. Before the night was through we were laughing and
singing. And one of the bold Kiwis (I won't say who) even went for a skinny-dip
after dinner! Many thanks to Peter & Carrie, Rob & Pamela, and
John & Diana for giving us fun memories and lasting impressions as to what
it means to be a Kiwi!
This morning we got an early start on breakfast and headed into Russell to
catch the passenger ferry over to Paihia. From the ferry dock we took a 20
minute walk along the shore to Waitangi. This is the spot where the treaty
between the Maori and the British was signed making New Zealand a recognized
sovereign nation in 1844. At the visitor's center we paid admission (NZ$
8.00/person) and watch the historical video presentation. Then we began our
walking tour around the Waitangi Reserve grounds. Housed there is the world's
largest war canoe, the Maori canoe Ngatokimatawhaorua, named after the canoe in
which the Maori ancestor Kupe discovered New Zealand. Also on the grounds are
the Treaty House and a traditional Maori Meeting House. We ate lunch in the cafe
next to the visitor's center and then made our way up the road to the Haruru
Falls trailhead. The hike through the mangrove forest along Huia creek is a
pleasant 90 minutes and Haruru Falls at the end is worth the trip. The best way
to return is the same way you came. We hiked back to Paihia along the road that
runs 
near the falls and it was a longer and more difficult walk without trail or
sidewalks. I do not recommend this route! By the time we arrived in Paihia we
were ready for a snack, so we grabbed and ice cream cone and relaxed in the
shade by the beach before heading back to Russell on the passenger ferry.
This evening we dined at The Gables Restaurant as they were celebrating the
Bay of Islands Wine and Food Festival. Reservations were required but the
restaurant did not fill up. All the better! A group of friendly Kiwis gathered
everyone and coaxed the proprietors into putting together one large table for
all the guests. We enjoyed a wonderful, family style atmosphere with fantastic
food and drink. The guest speaker of the evening was Mr. Paul Dunleavy, owner of
the Te Motu Winery in Waiheke. He matched a different wine to each dish,
appetizer, main and desert. Before the night was through we were laughing and
singing. And one of the bold Kiwis (I won't say who) even went for a skinny-dip
after dinner! Many thanks to Peter & Carrie, Rob & Pamela, and
John & Diana for giving us fun memories and lasting impressions as to what
it means to be a Kiwi! 
