Off to see the Hole in the Wall and the Zidlands

We spent the morning taking a hike to a local hilltop to oversee the Bay of Isles. This area was settled by the Maori over 1000 years ago, the first humans to inhabit the islands. Later the area was visited by Captain Cook in 1728 who named this area the Bay of Isles. It is incredibly beautiful and to some degree reminds us of the Canadian Gulf Islands. This is the site of much important NZ history.


In the afternoon we boarded a tour boat to see the islands and visit the infamous Hole in the Rock at Cape Britt.
We stopped en route to see the lighthouse at Cape Britt Lighthouse which is no longer manned.


From a distance the Hole in the Rock does not seem that large but in a few minutes our 100+ passenger vessel motors through it with room to spare!










Al watching as we pass through the hole!


And looking back after we exit!






Next we stopped at a popular island for camping on our way back to Paihia and climbed to the top of the hill to check out the spectacular views.
Our tour director, Bob is enjoying the view. He tells us that when NZers camp they seldom take a tent instead just laying their sleeping bag on the ground!


Beyond Al you can see a good sized encampment of holiday campers. This is mid summer holiday for the NZers. The children are still on vacation. Camping is VERY popular.



Later we stopped for dinner in the town of Russell. We had a delicious fish(grouper) and chips dinner at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel right on the waterfront. After dinner we took a ferry back to Paihia.



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