Bay of Islands

For today, we booked a boat trip through the Bay of Islands and a stop off in Russell. It looks like a green version of the British Virgin Islands, the islands were formed from volcanoes so very steep but are covered in bright green vegetation. This is a map from Google which shows our start point and the furthest point east we got to.

It was a beautiful morning as we walked along the beach to the ferry terminal in Paihia (means "Good Here").

The first stop was Russell to pick up some more passengers.

Lots of great boats in the harbour including Silencio which we saw a few days ago in Auckland. Its 163 ft of luxury sailboat and its for sale!

As we rounded Tapeka point, we encountered a huge pod of bottle nose dolphins. Now, we have seen a lot of dolphins up close in Florida but never this many in one sighting. We were guessing 40 - 50 dolphins including some babies only a couple of feet long.

As we headed out around Tapeka Point we encounter a considerable lift. Shortly after, the crew were passing out the little white bags for the landlubbers. Unfazed, we sat back and enjoyed the fabulous scenery.

We stopped at the bay where Captain Cook anchored the Endeavour and named the Bay Of Islands.

We continued on to Cape Brett Peninsula.

The lighthouse here is no longer tended (1910 - 1978) but the remaining tender's house is now a hostel.

Next was Piercy Island, named by Captain Cook for the First Lord of the Admiralty at the time.

With a fairly heavy swell running, the captain maneuvered into the opening and we entered the "Hole in the Wall".

On our return trip we encountered a huge school of fish feeding on the surface along with hundreds of gulls.

Next we stopped for an hour at Urupukapuka Island and had time to hike up to a summit with some great overviews. This is the only island that allows people to camp on it although the facilities are rather rustic featuring long drop toilets.

From here we hopped off the tour boat when it stopped at Russell. A quaint town with a basin full of anchored yachts from around the world.

We decided to take a hike up Telegraph Hill, not that far (4 km) but really steep uphill on a hot afternoon. Again some great views.

After descending, we stopped at the Duke of Marlborough for a snack and a cold pint.

We walked the streets of the village for a while then hopped the ferry back to Paihia. We had time for a dip in the pool and hot tub before cooking supper in our apartment.

Kiwi words of the day - "Lift" - referring to a swell on the sea;

"Long Drop Toilet" - an outhouse.