Monday, March 28, 2011 "Kiwi" Adventure

We got up early Monday morning and were off to Paihia, in the Bay of Islands.  We arrived in Paihia around ten o'clock in the morning and were able to catch the ferry across the bay to the small town of Russell.  Russell was the first official capital of New Zealand.  It was a rough and tumble town of bars and brothels - there to serve the whaling trade of the day.  Less than a year after being named the capital, it was decided to move the capital to Auckland.  Later, when gold was discovered on the South Island, the capital was moved to Wellington.

We had a great mini-tour of Russell on a local tour bus.  Jenny was our tour guide and she did an excellent job. 

The wharf at Paihia

Getting ready to board the ferry to Russell

Leaving Paihia on the way to Russell

Reg on the Ferry

The wharf at Russell

Our mini-bus tour of Russell

                                                              Jenny, our tour guide

The beach at Russell

                                       View of the Bay of Islands from on top of the hill in Russell

Christ Church of Russell - the oldest

church in New Zealand

Inside Christ Church of Russell

Giant Sun Dial above Russell - yep - it's keeping good time!

Mosaic at base of sun dial.

View from on top of Russell

Joel with Edwyn Scott in a art consignment shop in Russell.  Edwyn left

New Zealand in 1965 and traveled the world.  He recently returned.  He drove

a truck from Alaska to Panama.  He worked on tall sailing ships.  He has seen

the world.  Edwyn carves jewels form bone, paua and greenstone.  He specializes

in carved bone feathers.

Edwyn and one of his carved feathers.

Reg took me to the RSA (Returned Soldiers Association) for lunch in

Russell.  This hat was sitting on the bar, so of course I had to put it

on.  The bartender came out and told the tradition is - whoever puts on

the hat, buys everyone in the bar a drink! 

Jet boats in the harbor at Paihia.