Bay of Islands

Waitangi, New Zealand February 7, 2015 Our final stop in New Zealand is at the Bay of Islands and the town of Paihia. We took a tour through the countryside where we saw lush hillsides, dairy and sheep farms. Our first stop was the Kawiti Caves where we viewed a glow worm grotto. I was not able to take any photos inside the cave, so the entrance is all I can share. We walked nearly 200 stairs thru the woods. It was well worth the effort. Following the cave we took a snack and restroom break at the interesting town of Kawakawa where a local artist by the name of Hundertwasser has created some interesting art including a restroom that has been featured on several television shows. When he passed, he left all his money to the town. The local officials work very hard to insure his art and memory will live on. The final stop on our tour was the Waimate North Mission House – the second oldest surviving building in New Zealand, built in the 1830’s. The house, church and cemetery were all well kept and filled with interesting history. Once back at Paihia, we wandered around town and through a craft market before catching a tender back to the ship for a fabulous sail-away party that included complimentary New Zealand wines and beer.