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30 minutes on a ferry, just been on a tour of the island. The really cool thing is that they make Manuka honey from the trees growing in the crater of the volcano. Every summer they make about 1 ton.
The Island is only 600 years old! We have buildings older than that. There is no soil, all volcanic rocks, no animals and very few birds. Loads of trees and plants, many of which can grow in air but embed in rocks. It is so weird to see a place just starting like this. Its human history is recent, bit of war activity, a small holiday shack community in early 1900's and now a nature reserve. Seems they are looking to come up with history items, they are renovating an old wall from 1920 that used to be the entrance to the gents toilet - now if you do not believe that, come and see for yourself! (and I have photographic proof).
Someone decided to bring in possum, wallabies etc. but that turned into a bad idea. By 1980 they were destroying plants as so many. Now all animals removed and nobody lives on island so if you come over to camp you need to bring own food and water. Oh forgot, no streams either (lack of water is key reason why no birds I guess) as ground is made up of small light hollow rock so water disappears quicker than a cake on my plate. You can lift a really big stone with one hand that you wouldn't be able to lift at all.
Got on well with tour guide, I think he is sold on idea of an iPod Touch and blogging using "Off Exploring". South African called Rudi, living in Auckland with family back home.
Now on boat again about 5 minutes from stopping and getting on the cruise boat for lunch.
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