Treaty of Waitangi House & Flagstaff.

    After looking through my journal- I realized that my time spent @ the Waitangi Treaty house needed to have its own entry. On the way to the waterfall, we made a minor pit stop where Hillary, Brenda and I decided to stop in to the exhibit to pay our respects to the history of this country that we chose to study in. It was a gorgeous day and it seemed only appropriate to study some history of this country.

On our way to the exhibit!

After all, this was the site where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed on February 6th, 1840. This treaty is recognized as a key marker of the founding of New Zealand as a nation. Regarded as "The Birthplace of our Nation," it is where the formal agreement was made between the Maori chiefs and Queen Victoria who represented their people and agreed to live and work in harmony.

Standing near the Flag Staff!

James Busby's House a.k.a. Waitangi Treaty House.

It was truly a spectacular sight. We got to tour the grounds, see the Naval Flagstaff where the treaty was actually signed, the Waitangi Treaty House which once belonged to James Busby, the European who acted as a mediator between the Europeans and the Maori people.

We also got to see the Te Whare Runanga (Maori meeting house). (Runanga means to 'discuss in assembly') This is my second one I have seen and I also feel a sense of serenity when I enter one of these. They are really cool and are just oozing with history. They also are extremely significant because the symbolize the Maori involvement in the signing of the Treaty. What is also special about this meeting house is that it is the national marae, which means that it represents ALL Maori tribes. (When typically each tribe has their own separate Maraes).

Marae.

Beautiful Maori carvings.

We also got to see the giant waka (canoe) that was located on the grounds. It is known as Ngatokimatawhaorua. It was made out of NZs Kauri trees and is 35 meters long and requires 80 kaihoe (paddlers) to paddle it safely. It is a larger version of the waka that carried raiding parties on long coastal voyages voyages at the time that the very first European settlers arrived. Some wakas were made for battle purposes, however ones with these kinds of carvings were used for peaceful purposes, including transporting chiefs on ceremonial visits.

Waka.

Waka.

Intricate Carvings.

Located inside of the house, we got to see a replica of the Treaty of Waitangi (over time, the original had began to deteriorate!) We also got to learn information about the Bay of Islands, the flag and more!

Replica of the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Naval Flagstaff.

It seemed only right to check this historical sight out. In the past, I have not been one for history but over the years I owe it to my dad (and mom) for instilling the appreciation for history in me. They always say to pay respect for our past and our history. I am not one for dates and strict facts but I do enjoy learning about it (as long as I will not be quizzed over it later...) Its safe to say that it was a really good day and I learned a lot and grew a new appreciation for this country.

Me & Big Mike @ KKG Dads Weekend last year. I really am my father's daughter.

Continuation of the B.O.I. Saga...

The next few days were JAM PACKED full of things to see. We thought we would be bored with 2 free days.. boy, were we wrong. The next morning Brenda, Hillary and I decided to parasail over the Bay of Islands. It was absolutely breath-taking. I had only parasailed once before and it was over a small lake- so you can imagine the difference between those two experiences! One of the guys who worked on the parasailing boat was from New Jersey and had moved out here after visiting and doing this! It was so cool to talk to him because he has now been here for like 13 years and is loving every minute of it... made me think of how hard it would be leaving your friends and family behind but what a REBEL! I found him to be quite fascinating!

After our parasailing excursion, we headed back to make lunch and then we wanted to do a 3 hour hike (roundtrip) to a beautiful waterfall in Paihia called Haruru falls. But first we stopped by the Treaty of Waitangi house. It seemed only appropriate that we stopped there seeing as how this historical landmark is where discussion and agreement occurred and made NZ what it is today. (History stuff, I am my father's daughter! If it is one thing that Big Mike taught me, it is to appreciate those who have come before us and take an interest in our past!) But more on the Waitangi treaty house later!

The Flagstaff.

The Waitangi Treaty House.

We then began our journey to Haruru falls! It was quite a lovely trek through the forest. Beautiful scenery and fun discussion with the girls! We then heard the lovely sound of the waterfall... you see 'Haruru' means "big noise" and that is exactly what we heard. Once we were clear out of the forests, we took in one amazing sight. The waterfall was beautiful and was extremely humbling in the sense of appreciating our natural surroundings. There really is beauty all around us.

Hururu Falls.

Me with the waterfall!

After taking a moment to appreciate the sight, we decided it was time to hike back towards our hostel.. we still had to run to the grocery store! On our way back nighttime was upon us. Were we prepared with 'torches?' (Flashlights)- NOPE. Between the 5 of us, we had 4 small (and I mean SMALL) torch lights from our cellphones. We continued on through the forest, tripping over rocks and cursing ourselves for thinking this was a good idea when all of the sudden we caught a glimpse of a terrifying sight. A POSSUM.

That sucker was latched onto a tree in front of us staring us down as if he was legitimately looking into our souls. The girls screamed, Brenda cursed and I just froze. Remain calm. That is all I could think to say. I know animals can smell the freight in people. So I suggested we move as a unit towards it and quickly run past. NOT SO FAST: that sucker moved down the tree closer to us. We tried throwing things at it, yelling at it, etc. I am sure we would have been a sight for others to watch. After 10 minutes of debating back and forth, we decided to move forward, it moved further into the forest and we BOOKED IT OUT OF THERE like we were competing for the gold medal. Once on the street and back to civilization, we all laughed and shook our heads. Funny right? More like IDIOTIC on our parts. Once we told Mouse Trap Jake about it- he asked us if we shot it. Oh, Kiwis and their humor. Sorry Jake- must have forgotten my rifle/shotgun in my other purse.

After making a big dinner (you develop a hearty appetite when running away from Possums), we sat around chatted and then hit the hay. What a day it had been.

B.O.I : aka Bay of Islands.

After a wonderful day at Cape Reinga, it was time for the 'Day in the Bay: Creme' cruise. This was our second excursion in the bay of Islands. The plan was to go on a 4 or 5 hour cruise in the bay followed by the opportunity to swim with dolphins!! It's safe to say that the girls and I were pumped!

We sat back, relaxed and started snapping away with our cameras! We started from Paihia and then sailed across the bay to the town of Russell, then it was passed Moturoa, the Black Rocks, Marsden Cross, Motuarohia, Moturua, Motukiekie, and more until we arrived at THE FAMOUS HOLE IN THE ROCK!

Businessman had done quite well for himself.

Lily and Podolski?

Black Rocks

It was beautiful to say the least, and just when you thought there could not be anything else that we would be excited about, we saw the Dolphins! Safe to say that Morgan and I's dreams came true. Who does not like dolphins? They are adorable, happy and can do tricks- what a tri-fecta!  However, it was somewhat sad when we found out that we would not be able to swim with the dolphins.  Baby dolphins were spotted and when that is the case, humans cannot enter the water because their bodies change the temperature of the water, and the babies need to swim in a certain temperature. Although I was bummed about this, you know me--ANYTHING for the babies. At least we got to see them.. SUCCESS.

Hole in the Rock!!

After seeing them, we were invited to go 'boom-netting' alongside the boat. This basically consists of sitting in a large net that is attached to the boat.. sounds fun right? Well in theory it is, until you realize that you can barely hold onto both the net and your swimsuit. Safe to say that my friends and I might have given some of the passengers a view that we did not intend to give...crazy Americans.

Momma and Baby!!

Up close and personal.

Although disappointing that we did not get to swim with the dolphins, the girls and I had a great 'Day in the Bay...' we saw beautiful sights, laid out on the beach and got up close and personal with some sheep. TKM. Total Kiwi Move.

Boom-netting!!

Cape Reinga: Dreams Really Do Come True...

Today was the day, folks. Where all of your wildest dreams come true. I am not talking about college, nor I am talking about Disney World. I am talking about CAPE REINGA.

Cape Reinga Lighthouse

Cape Reinga is the northernmost point of New Zealand. It is marked by the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea with a little white lighthouse perched next to the ocean.  It is THE FIRST thing that I marked in my guidebook, thus holding a very dear place in my heart.

It ONLY makes sense.

True Beauty.

Loving life.

To get to Cape Reinga, it was a 3 hour bus ride through the countryside. Rolling hills and mountains combined with an abundance of sheep was displayed as our backdrop on the way up the coast.  We had a few stops along the way, but Derek (our hilarious driver who had done OVER 800 tours to Cape Reinga) kept us all laughing the whole way- what a hoot. We stopped to do a quick walk through a forest where Megan and I got a picture with a beautiful native tree of NZ. We then continued our way on the windy roads through the picturesque countryside.

Megan and I.

Our view from Lunch.

All of the sudden, Derek said we were getting closer and my heart began to race... could this be that I was about to see this amazing sight that only months prior was LITERALLY in my dreams? Let me tell you something... DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE.

Can you tell that I am excited?

We made the trek out to the lighthouse and the meeting point of these two beautiful bodies of water. The rich greens and blues meshed together beautifully and we could not have gone on a better day! After taking in the views (and snapping some pics with that lighthouse) it was time to journey back to the bus.

Breathtaking.

Morgan and I.

I never wanted to let it go.

However, as we were walking back- I turned my head and saw a hill that people were climbing. Well one of my friends on the trip, Morgan had injured her foot and gotten surgery- so she could not make the hobble up. Megan, Hillary and Brenda decided to wait back with her, but I knew I had to see this sight.

Actually stunning and unreal. The picture does not even do it justice!!

After sprinting (LITERALLY) up the hill, I immediately looked around in awe. The tranquil sight brought an immediate sense of serenity over me.  This was the picture in my guidebooks. It was truly one of the most spectacular sights that I have ever seen. In the book/movie 'Eat, Pray, Love' when the author says that she wants to go somewhere where she can truly marvel at something.. I now truly understand. The scenery was absolutely stunning to a point that is brought me an everlasting amount of inner joy.

After making the trek back down the hill, the girls and I continued on towards the bus when all of the sudden it began to sprinkle, which turned into legit rain, which turned into pouring as we loaded back onto the bus. It was almost a spiritual feeling to me. Its as if the rain had waited for me to truly marvel at the scenery in the sunshine.

Needless to say.. I could not stop smiling for the rest of the day....

We then continued on our journey driving down the famous '90 mile beach' and sand-duning down a large mountain of sand... who would have thought? The trip had already been so amazing.... and it had only just begun... wow, is life good or what?!!

Sand duning. RAGE.

90 mile beach!!