Bay of Islands

Today we got up and packed, had breaky then it was off to the beautiful Bay of Islands..... we thought that it wouldn’t take us too long to get here as it is just 200ks but we were mistaken- it took us around 4 hours (with a coffee break thrown in for good measure)... i slept in the car - it is hard being the passenger. :)

Anyway we got to Paihia and then went through to the Treaty House and Marae....

the bird life here is more subtle that Aus but we saw Californian Quails (yes Jess they are cute....) a fantastic Australasian Gannet - about the size of a small albatross, several Tui which are black and royal blue and have a white tuft under their chin - making the look as though they are eating a white berry..... blackbirds and the only NZ parrot............ the red crowned parrot.

We have now finished a bottle of red between us and a large pack chips - well Phil did have about 6!! Dinner will be simple I am guessing - don't think I should cook

After relaxing tonight we will do some more exploring tomorrow Might even have a spa bath tonight - as we have one here...... that is yet to be thought about

so with love from Nu Z'Lund