Animal farm, Maori treaty grounds and water fall 6/4

We went to Lilypond Animal Farm in the morning. The kids were having a great time. it has got the friendiest donkey around which let you ride and pull on its ears.



The Waitangi Treaty Ground was only 5 minutes from where we stayed. The naval flagstaff that Ellie was holding marks where the Treaty was signed, between Maori Chefs and Captain Hobson on behalf of the British gavornment in 1840. The Canoe Ngatokimatawhaorua, was launhed as part of centenary celebration in 1940, remain the longest canoe in the world. The meeting house was also opened during that time. Ellie was standing below a Marakihua figure, of Mataatua tribe. Shaun was standing beside a waikato tribe carving. Adeline was mimicing Rahri, Ngapuhi ancestor.



After the Treaty Ground visit a small waterfall nearby. The small Haruru water fall wasn't much. There are people jumping down from the top for the fun of it. The kids did not even dare to go for a dip on top because the water was too cold.

Cave, old house and hot spring 5/4

The sun rise at Bay of Islands was just beautiful. We just stayed across the road.

The 'Glow Worm' cave in Kawiti is a wind cave coverd in curious fly larva called 'Glow Worm' becuause they glow in the dark. They light out the ceiling of the cave like stars in MilkyWays. After waking throught the cave we had a walk through the lime-stone hill.


This Mission House at Waimate housed the 1st Anglican Bishop of New Zealand Selwyn in 1842 before he moved to Auckland in 1845. It was hand built with native woods. Ellie and Shaun are in the window in the second picture.


The hot spring was quite an experience. Very smelly. The kids were as happy as pig in the mud. Adeline was too disgusted to go in for a dip. The last photo was a naturally occuring hot spring lake.

Getting up early in the morning to go to the pier











Got into the boat for a day tour to see some dolphun, seen none, encounter very bad rainy weather. All of us threw out and were very sick in the open sea. Fortunately most of the trip was protected by the islands in the bay so it wasn't too bad. Had a break for lunch in Otehei island before heading back...






The trip back was quite pleasant hanging around the front of the boat. The rain has stopped. Adeline was too tired to get up, falling asleep on the chair. The kids falling asleep on the table wating for some quick chinese food that ended wating for ages because they forgot to cook rice.

A day at Bays Of Island and a short trip to Kiri Kiri

Waking up in the apartment...








a walk around town..









Taken a shop trip to Kiri Kiri..








visit the famous Stone Store...