Picked up a rental car. Ford Mondeo. Nice car except they put the steering wheel on the wrong side. Now that's a major screw-up. No wonder they changed the name to Mondeo...(to protect the guilty). Shifting gears with your left hand makes no sense at all.
Paihia
February 20, 2016
76°F
60% Humidity
Sunny
76°F
60% Humidity
Sunny
February 21, 2016
81°F
90% Humidity
Partly Cloudy
81°F
90% Humidity
Partly Cloudy
At breakfast, our waitress told us to be sure and stop half way to Paihia at the world famous Hundertwasser Public Toilets on the Main Street in Kawakawa. We were told this was a must go even if you didn't need to go; but, we did.
There isn't a straight line in this place which fits me fine because I can no longer pee in a straight line anyway.
Notice the 3 urinals, one for every size mate.
Sorry, I didn't check out the girls side although the cleaning girl started cleaning my side while I was taking care of business.
Doesn't seem fair.
Notice the 3 urinals, one for every size mate.
Sorry, I didn't check out the girls side although the cleaning girl started cleaning my side while I was taking care of business.
Doesn't seem fair.
To compound this blunder, they make the cars drive on the wrong side of the road !!!
This is what happens when you home school your civil engineers.
This is what happens when you home school your civil engineers.
Guess that makes the toilets the highlight of our day.
Twenty minute ferry trip across the bay to Russell.
The water is very dirty looking. The locals said it was unusual and probably caused by the heavy rains the day before we arrived. I have not tested the water temperature...yet.
It was fun watching them unload the mornings catch. This is the largest bass I've ever seen.
43.45 kg = 96 lbs
Like to see you reel that in on 50 lb test.
43.45 kg = 96 lbs
Like to see you reel that in on 50 lb test.
Russell is a sleepy little town not overrun with tourists. The harbor is delightful with over hanging shade trees and boats coming and going. Barbara is unhappy because she didn't put makeup on this morning so she didn't want her picture taken. Can anybody see really her freckles?
For those that like Crayfish this 7 pounder would be a real treat.
In the afternoon we drove to Kerikeri. We missed the farmers market but continued on to the Kerikeri Mission Station. It was a delightful park area with lots of trees, meadows, river rushing to the sound and buildings from the missionary era. The one in this picture is called the Stone Store. It's New Zealand's oldest stone building cir. 1835.
February 22, 2016
77°F
70% Humidity
Partly Cloudy
77°F
70% Humidity
Partly Cloudy
This area in New Zealand is called the Bay of Islands. Some 144 at last count. They provide absolutely gorgeous scenery. Today, we boarded the Discovery IV to explore their beauty.
The skipper pointed the boat to an outer island and pushed both throttles on the twin 650hp engines to full speed. Clearly, he was in a hurry.
As we left the dock, the sun light was just right to capture the Paihia waterfront.
Soon we arrived at an island with a pod of Orca whales near the shore. I counted 9 including 2 youngsters.
The whales put on an amazing show for at least a half hour.
There isn't a straight line in this place which fits me fine because I can no longer pee in a straight line anyway.
Notice the 3 urinals, one for every size mate.
Sorry, I didn't check out the girls side although the cleaning girl started cleaning my side while I was taking care of business.
Doesn't seem fair.
Notice the 3 urinals, one for every size mate.
Sorry, I didn't check out the girls side although the cleaning girl started cleaning my side while I was taking care of business.
Doesn't seem fair.
There isn't a straight line in this place which fits me fine because I can no longer pee in a straight line anyway.
Notice the 3 urinals, one for every size mate.
Sorry, I didn't check out the girls side although the cleaning girl started cleaning my side while I was taking care of business.
Doesn't seem fair.
Notice the 3 urinals, one for every size mate.
Sorry, I didn't check out the girls side although the cleaning girl started cleaning my side while I was taking care of business.
Doesn't seem fair.
Paihia is a small resort town on the Bay of Islands. Our hotel is on the waterfront but there is no view from our room and the Internet is not free.
After a stressful drive I was ready for a couple of highballs.
What! no 7Up?
After a stressful drive I was ready for a couple of highballs.
What! no 7Up?
I enjoyed visiting the Russell Historical Museum. This is a 1/5th scale model of Captain Cook's ship. He visit the island 3 times before he was killed in Hawaii.
Next we arrived at the iconic Hole in the Rock.
The tourist brochures imply the boats will "run the hole". Our skipper said "There is a difference between being brave and being foolhearty and we're not doing it."
But he did get us up close enough so that we were gratefull he didn't try for it. The swells were 4 or 5 feet and the current was treacherous.
But he did get us up close enough so that we were gratefull he didn't try for it. The swells were 4 or 5 feet and the current was treacherous.
The cruise included a stop at a private island.
Where we enjoyed a relaxing BBQ.
Finally tested the water. 67.4°F based on my calibrated finger.
