Before leaving the main Kaui tree area we decided to call in at The Kaui Kingdom, a showroom for carvings made from the wood. The showroom was impressive and contained a spiral staircase carved from one trunk and an area where you could observe a wood turner at work.
We spotted some lovely carvings and were very tempted to buy one. However, when we turned it over to read the description it had a label on it saying 'made in China'! Obviously the wood turner is for show!
On route from the Far North to the Bay of Islands we stopped for a play on the beach followed by lunch at New Zealand's best fish and chip shop. It was certainly very good and hosted an excellent location overlooking Doubtless Bay. After eating our fill of fish, prawns, scallops, mushy peas and of course 'chups' we went on to Waitangi.
In 1840 a treaty was signed between the Maori's and the British. It was signed at Waitangi at the house of James Busby a British Resident in an area now know as the Waitangi Treaty ground. This is considered as the birthplace of New Zealand as opposed to Aotearoa.
On entering we headed straight to the Maori meeting hut to observe a Maori welcome and show.
Before welcoming the audience in to the hut a male had to volunteer to be our chief. Sam stepped forwards and had to receive the Maori challenge. We then proceeded in to the hut where the Maori leader gave a speech and our chief gave one in return! The show they put on was excellent, if a little intimidating at times, and ended on a high with a haka.
After getting our Maori cultural fill we went to Russell, site of the first British settlement and checked in to our campsite. We were meant to be staying in a tipi but when we looked in it, although it was lovely, it was leaking so we opted for a cabin instead.
Following a day of rain we woke up to glorious sunshine. We headed in to Russell, and found a lovely cafe on the water. Russell is a very pretty town with well preserved buildings and the oldest church in New Zealand.
Mooching around the town we came across some lovely buildings.
Whilst planning our Kiwi adventure I had come across a 'Top 10 beaches' list and had seen one was near Russell. The campsite owner also suggested we go, so we packed a picnic and headed to Oke Bay. Unfortunately the journey their was extremely windy roads going up and down. I, therefore, spent most of it trying not to be sick! Sam though this was highly amusing and kept saying he hoped the bay would be worth it. When we reached the bay we were faced with a hill to climb over, luckily it was worth the sickness and climb!
We all had a great time swimming and catching some waves.
In fact we enjoyed the water so much that we headed straight for the camp pool on our return.
That evening we ate in a waterfront restaurant and had delicious green lipped mussels and calamari.
The boys discovered the stocks on the seafront and insisted on Sam giving a demonstration.
We also saw local fishermen bring in a marlin which they proceed to saw up. They were a little concerned about the boys watching, however it was nothing compared to the wet market!
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