John Cornhill

Hello again Saturday = day2 in Bay of Islands what a great place this is. Took Kings fast ferry to Russell accross part of the bay. Russell was the major port in early 19th century full of history critical to the formation of NZ as a nation. Visited museum, then on to a house called Pompelier with lots of history including its original purpose as a tannery and bookbinding to make bibles for Maori in their language. All very interesting but most interesting of all was the Maori lady doing the presentation especially when she was sidetracked into Maori history; fascinating. Also visited oldest church in NZ, graveyard included Maori some of whom were instrumental in the historical process (before they died). Also saw Duke of Marlborough. Been there in Russell from the beginning but this is fourth building, the first destroyed by Maori, second and third by fire. Ferry back to Paihia (Pie-hee-a) where found brilliant restaurant pork or lamb plus 6 veg 18 dollars big portions no idea what 2 of the veg were I think I'll go back.

Sunday up early for dolphin watch and swim. Saw australasian gannets, one and a half metre wingspan, diving vertically at great speed into water, apparently they have excellent eyesight for fish and can go very deep to catch them. Cruized around island after island, absolutely beautiful all different shapes and sizes trees down to the sea. But saw no dolphins. Brilliant NZ BBQ lunch on Urupukepuke Island steamed fish, pork, sosage and loads salad some of which I didn't recognise. Ate it all. Transferred to bigger boat which took us to Cape Brett 'hole in the rock' drove boat through the hole. This is regarded as a major attraction! working hard to develop their tourist attractions bless them. Went on third vessel called 'naughtilus the submarine' which is basically a glass sided hull that you go down into and they close the curtains at each end and pretend to dive/submerge with lots of bubbles and submarine noises then they chuck fish food over the side and lots of fish come alongside the glass I most enjoyed watching the 2 year old dutch girl as the fish, some quite big, swam past her big round eyes. then the klaxons sounded, we were entering a minefield lots of emergency noises then metal banging against the hull then a single mine bobbing along outside the windows until it suddenly got hauled back onto the deck. very realistic........actually we were always in water about 2 metres deep but it was fun..Back to the big boat, more cruizing around islands with some historic commentary breathtaking scenery. A super day in the bay even without the dolphins whose absense gets me another free trip on Tuesday to look again so will have to stay in the Bay of Islands longer. Hooray.John Cornhill