After the choppy ride from Fiji, we arrived in New Zealand – a new country for Kathy, but not for Scott. Our first stop was at Bay of Islands – part of the northern peninsula that extends from the top of New Zealand and is the summer ocean playground for the country (north=warm down here). It wasn't very crowded, because we arrived after the height of the season – it's early fall now. Time to change out our summer wear into warmer fall clothing.

As you might suspect, this area consists of a large bay that contains several islands–it discovered and named by Captain Cook. Bay of Islands has a lot more to offer than just beaches, sailing, and fishing. Kiwis are into extreme sports of all kinds, and they were all represented here. Bungee jumping is almost passé now – new sports are zorbing (getting inside a three meter transparent ball, and rolling down a hill), tandem skydiving (you with instructor), sledging (down raging rivers with only a boogie board).

This is also an important historical site for New Zealand. The Treaty of Waitanga was signed here, in which the Maori chiefs agreed to British Sovereignty over the country. It was a hastily written document (the British needed it signed to preclude the French from claiming part of the islands, which they were about to do). The Maori translations, which the chiefs signed, differed subtly in meaning from the English version, and it's been a bone of contention ever since it was signed in 1840. As is typical, the British ignored the treaty whenever it was convenient. In the last few decades, the country's courts have been forcing the country to live up to the terms of the treaty, such as providing compensation for land illegally taken. A large park includes the house where the treaty was signed, as well as a large Maori meeting house and a war canoe that was built for the 150th anniversary of the signing of the treaty. There were impressive Maori carvings throughout the park

House where treaty was signed	Maori meeting house	Meeting house (outside)
Maori War canoe	Us	Maori carving

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