Bay of Islands via Goat Island

Stopped for a snorkel at the marine reserve at Goat Island (saw NO underwater goats - what a rip off)....but did see many fishies - trigger fish, massive snappers, some cool looking filefish - i think they were anyway....all a bit rusty on the ol' IDing now. Plus had the not-so-good experience of using goggles instead of a mask, which even without breathing with your nose, feels extremely uncomfortable....plus I'd 'cleaned' it with sunblock coated fingers so looked at the underwater city through a hazy white fog.

Drove further north up to Pahia at the Bay of Islands and stayed at the Pickled Parrot which is lovely - has free brekkie and bikes (although they were shit, and I did fall off one once but with just a small shin gash to show for it), and a cute green parrot that is decidely unfriendly and only got on my lap because i enticed it on with a tasty piece of lettuce - when it realised what I had made it do, it began to frantically peck at my sunburnt thigh - nithe.


Psycho Parrot

Went to the Waitangi Treaty House (where the Brits took over and made the Maoris feel like they were getting a good deal but were actually f+&%ing them over)...and came face to face with a portrait of my great great great uncle (I think that's right) - General Hobson - who was the dude that WROTE the bloody treaty. oops. Although as i like to think, at least he didnt translate it - that seems to be where the true problem lies - he was just being British. hmmm.

Maori Waka - a sacred canoe

Maori carving on the inside of the Waka shelter

Phoebe and me having a moment

Hobson's memorial stone.


Flowers in the Treaty House garden

A fantail in the garden. They do these amazing displays, but move so quickly it's impossible to get a good picture of them

We then went for a completely unsatisying walk to the Haruru falls, which were algified and couldnt see anywhere to go swimming. hurumph.
...But along the walk we saw....

A spiders nest on a plant

Mangrove swamps

A lovely bird...heron maybe?

Ferns (one of NZ's national symbols)

Haruru Falls

We then caught the ferry to 'Romantic Russell'...lovely place, although didnt get any overwhelming feelings of romanticness towards phoebe. Just sat on a beach and fell asleep. ahh... Then that night we had a beer (singular) and played cards with Gilly and Brian. We are party animals indeed.