Cruising the Bay of Islands

With 144 possible islands to explore we opted for a cruise around just a few of them. After a mad dash for the 9 o'clock boat, we're kinda out of practice when it comes to being somewhere on time, so a 200
metre mad dash was always going to be likely this morning. Thankfully no passport required for this mornings trip as if they were they would have definitely been forgotten. But hey we made it and as we pulled
away from Paihia town jetty the morning sun shone as the weather reports predicted, we were on our way out into the Bay of Islands.

With extremely calm conditions it seemed that as soon we left Paihia harbour and reached Tapeka Point the boat became surrounded by bottle nose dolphins, numbers could have easily been around a hundred.

As we reached top speed they were actually chasing the boat, and as we were slightly late we were definitely last to board as we had a great spot on the lower back deck to witness the frolicking right at eye

level. On many occasions the dolphins jumped completely out of the swell to well over 3 odd metres high to then spin 180 degrees and head straight back into the deep crystal waters. As we stood watching,

mouths open with delight it was as if we were watching the spectacle on a movie! A fantastic experience and on this occasion we can thoroughly recommend the benefits of being late thus last to board in this circumstance !!

The dolphins seemed to capture everyone emotions, couples starting to cuddle and kiss. In us witnessing this it made us think, hang-on, maybe there's a gap in the wedding market for dolphins ? Could this be
the 'next big thing' to hit the wedding circuit !! Jumping, spinning dolphins ? Maybe!

Piercy Island, 'The Hole In The Rock', was another point named by old Capt Cookie after the first Lord of the Admiralty at the time. A good way to get on in the navy me thinks.

Now known as the 'hole in the rock' it stands 148 metres above sea level and just wide enough for us tourists to cruise through. It's thought constant rain and storms have created the hole in this outer rock. Early Maoris used to row their waka taya (war canoes) through it on-route to battle with any unwanted visitors. Our boat, not heading into battle, thankfully, stopped just in front of the hole and the captain asked if we thought the boat would fit. Fe thought no but sure enough he steered the boat slowly through the gap with a few feet to
spare. The swell was pretty easy going but apparently we wouldn't fit sideways so a large cheer went up as we bobbed our way through and out the other side with all paintwork still intact.

Otehei bay at Urupukapuka island was a welcome espresso stop off although as we walked up the jetty to shore you couldn't help but feel like 'here come a boatload of tourists' lol!

Kororareka (or Russell to non Maori's) was back in the day known as 'the hell hole of the pacific' a rough shore leave destination for sailors, whalers and any other passing sea types. Today though, oh no, all very nice, coffee shops, and seafood restaurants with garlic wafting from shady verandas. Yes, all very nice.

Thought by many to be an island but it does actually form part of the Tapeka Point. At the peak a proud flagstaff stands overlooking the bay. This the fifth staff to be erected as all others have been torn down by Hone Heke, a local Maori tribe, due to ill feelings and misunderstandings at the time of the signing of the original Waitang treaty between Maori and the British Crown back in 1840. The fifth pole was dragged up to this point by 400 men specially selected to represent every section of the Maori tribe. I carried up a half full 20 litre rucksack in the midday heat, believe you me that was enough. Cricky !!