Friday, March 4, 2016

Russell 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 January

After our time in Auckland, Jenny and David flew back to Christchurch to Josh and Silvina and we drove north to spend four nights in Russell on the Bay of Islands.

We stayed in a terrific B&B. This is the beautiful view from the balcony of our room looking over the charming town of Russell.

 

 

Looking up to the B&B, with the red roof.

 

 

Russell's pebbly beach. The town holds an important place in New Zealand's history. It was the country's first sea port and its first European settlement. There are still many historic buildings.

 

 

The jetty. Regular ferries go over to the other side of the bay.

 

 

One of Russell's historic white wooden buildings.

 

 

There are also some very fancy new homes.

 

 

The historic Anglican Christ Church, built in 1836, is the oldest existing church in NZ today, and possibly the oldest building still used for its original purpose.

 

 

The Pompallier Mission and Printery is a nineteenth century rammed earth building which was the headquarters for the French Catholic mission for the Western Pacific.

 

 

The Catholic brothers translated religious texts into Maori. We went on an excellent tour which took us through the whole process of tanning leather.

 

 

Then we learnt about the printing process.

 

 

Our tour guide is showing the end product, a beautiful printed bible covered in leather.

 

 

We took a ferry like this to Pahia on the other side. It's only about 15 minutes or so.

 

 

A little island on the way.

 

 

Arriving in Pahia.

 

 

On shore at Pahia.

 

 

A Gaudi try hard!

 

 

From Pahia we walked along the beach (sand for a change) to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Here the Waitangi Treaty was first signed in 1840 between representatives of the British Crown and more than 40 Maori Chiefs.

 
 
A welcome performance in front of the carved meeting house.
 
 

Inside it is beautifully carved and painted.

 

A traditional carved statue.

 
 

The flagstaff marks the spot were the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.

 
 

The Treaty House, which was the offical Royal Residency.

 
 

Looking over the bay from Waitangi to Russell, we could see the red roof and veranda of our B&B.

 

 

Inside the Treaty House.

 

 

A waka, or War canoe. This canoe needs a minimum of 76 paddlers.

 

 

When we arrived back to the pier in Russell, we saw this massive blue marlin, weighing in at 160.2 kilograms.

 

 

The Flagstaff Hill Historic Reserve sundial.

 

 

The view from here over Russell was beautiful.

 

 

We drove to Kerikeri to see the Mission Station, which was established in 1819. This stone store, New Zealand's oldest, was part of the mission and has been open for business since 1836.
 

Kemp House, is New Zealand oldest building,
 
 
Inside Kemp House.
 
 
Our guide.
 
 

The Honey House Cafe, another building on the mission.

 

 

These pears are from a tree planted by Samuel Marsden in 1819, which is the oldest specimen of its kind in New Zealand.

 

Such a peaceful spot. It is hard to believe it was once the setting for wars and cannibals.

Rainbow Falls, just outside Kerikeri.

 

 

On the way back to Auckland for the flight home, our last stop was at The Hundertwasser Public Toilets at Kawakawa. It is one of few toilet blocks seen as an international work of art and a tourist attraction in its own right. It was designed by the expatriate Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser who lived in Kawakawa from 1975 until his death in 2000 and features the use of recycled materials from the local community.
 

Inside.

 

 

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Auckland 17, 18, 19

 

We stayed in an apartment in a renewed part of the port area.

 

 

The iconic Skycity.

 

 

Victorian decoration on the gates at the port.

 

 

On top of Mount Eden, an old volcano, to see the view over Auckland.

 

 

Not too far from home.

 

 

The view wasn't great as it turned overcast, cool and windy that day. Didn't rain in the end, but we were nearly blown off the mountain.

 

 

Next day was lovely, so we took a ferry to the historic, village of Devonport, dating from the mid 1800's.

 

 

On board the ferry.

 

 

Devonport was lovely, enhanced by the bus tour we took with a local. A wonderful old fellow who obviously loved his town. This is North Head, over looking Cheltenham Beach. It was once a Maroi Pa (fortified village) and now has the Navy maintaining a presence.

 

 

Jenny and Bill emerge from the tunnels, first built at the end of the 19th century in response to the Russian threat, then extended in WWI and WWII


We had good views of Auckland from Mount Victoria.

 

 

Looking towards the bridge. The houses are attractive - wooden once again.

 

 

The city from the ferry on the way back.

 

 

Their were two cruise boats in the port.

 

 

University of Auckland.

 

 

Jenny on her soap box.
 
 

Albert Park floral clock.

 

 

The trees are massive. The obviously like the sub tropical climate.

 

 

Sculpture leading to the Auckland Art Gallery, Toi O Tamaki.

 

 

Another art work under the beautiful wooden roof.

 

 

Different!
 
 

The old part of the gallery.

 

 

George Rommey 1734 - 1802 Lady and Child.



The moss and lichen on the trees looks lovely.