Saturday, February 24, 2007

Day 103 February 20th 2007, The Original Capital - Auckland to Russell, 241km

On the advice of Chris who I think is my second Cousin we headed North from Auckland towards a place called Russell in the Bay of Islands. After catching the ferry from Opua to Okiato we settled into our first campsite since Chile, luxury in comparison and just a few hundred meters from a very nice beach. In Chile we were lucky to get running water let alone hot showers, here 50 cents buys you a 5 mins hot shower.

Aside from its outstanding natural beauty Russell has an interesting past.

The Maori settlement of Kororareka
Hell hole of the Pacific when the Whaling fleets of the World called
First Capital of New Zealand
Today its the Sword Fishing Capital of the World and a friendly tourist town

One of the hotels in the town holds the oldest liquor license in New Zealand and the town also boats the oldest church in New Zealand, what does that say?

The ferry from Opua

Some of the very nice houses in Opua

The beach near our campsite

Highlights: Our luxury campsite and the beauty of the Bay of Islands

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