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We left home a week yesterday, and already have crammed so much in that John asked me today which day it was.
On Friday 30 January, having recovered a little from arriving in Auckland the day before at 11.00.a.m. we undertook a trip to Rangitoto, an island that appeared only 600 hundred years ago following a volcanic eruption.We took the 10.30.a.m. ferry to the island, and then did a three to four hour walk, traversing the west side of the island along the coast, and then climbing steadily to the top where we were promised fantastic views of the harbour and Auckland City.The landscape was fascinating, with trees and flowers, and vast tracts of volcanic larvae, which appeared like huge clods of black soil, or as John commented 'a badly ploughed field.'
We enjoyed our packed lunch at Mc Kenzie Bay watching the sea gently lap the shore. The weather was warm and sunny and we shared this beautiful small inlet with only two other visitors some distance away. We then set off for the summit, and climbed steadily to reach the summit of 261 metres. We walked around the rim of the volcano crater and enjoyed the views from the top.Saturday 31 Jan 2009 Our destination was Russell in the Bay of Islands, at the north eastern end of the North Island. The camp site was in a fabulous position overlooking the Bay of Islands and we were allocated a camping site up on the hill with fantastic views. The weather was hot and sunny and it was lovely to have the back doors of the campervan open and enjoy the warm evening weather as we ate our tea.Sunday 1 February 2009Today was the Swim with the Dolphins trip, booked for 12.30.p.m.The boat was a smallish jet powered boat (so as not to disturb the Dolphins) and the guides were two ladies who were passionate about the Dolphins.They explained that while they hoped we would be able to swim with them, it depended on the pods that we found (if any) and if they were in the right 'mood'.By this they said sometimes the Dolphins were busy fishing, eating and swimming great lengths across the water.They have a top speed of 76 kms an hour.If they have babies with them we are not allowed to swim with them because the mother has to feed the baby 20 times an hour.If the baby misses two or three feeds it will die of hypothermia.The loss of baby dolphins is between 40 and 50% in this way.Sometimes, they explained the Dolphins are not receptive to humans and not interested in which case we cannot swim with them.However, we were only on the boat 13 minutes before we sighted our first Dolphins.We didn't manage to swim with them, but were lucky enough to get up close by lying on the front of our boat and putting our heads over the end.The dolphins played around under the boat and thoroughly entertained us.Monday 2 FebruaryToday we planned a more restful day with a visit to the Waitangi Treaty House.The weather was very hot and sunny and we needed our sunscreen and sunhats.We caught the passenger ferry to Paihia and walked the 30 minutes around the bay to the Treaty House.This is now a large estate with beautiful grounds, and they were busy preparing for the festival which takes place over three days around the 4 February to celebrate the signing of the Treaty between the British settlers and the Maori tribes.Mr. Busby was sent to negotiate between the British settlers and the Maori tribes, some of whom were at war with each other. Tuesday 3 February Destination Matakohe, via the forest where we could see the vast Kauri trees. This is the oldest tree in the forest and was growing when Christ was born. Height 160 feet and about 45 feet around its girth.We travelled on to Matakohe and arrived at around 6.00.p.m.Wednesday 4 February 2009Today we have had a lazy morning, and spent the afternoon visiting the Kauri Museum, 5 minutes walk from the camp site.It is vast and told the history of the Kauri trees and logging industry, together with working models of huge saws to cut the vast Kauri trees.The Kauri trees are protected now. That's all for now folks, take care lots of loveMary & John
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