We have finally completed our crossing of the Pacific Ocean, although we will still be sailing in the Pacific for the next week as all of our ports of call in New Zealand are on the east coast or Pacific coast side of the Island. We will leave the Pacific Ocean when we go around the Southern tip of New Zealand to enter the Tasman Sea on 9 February.
Our day began with a beautiful sunrise as we entered the Bay of Islands. The Bay of Islands is gateway to 150 plus islands, and the port of Waitangi holds a central role in the history of New Zealand. In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed here by British Officers and Maori chiefs. The Treaty House in which the document was signed, and a Maori meeting house stand side by side to commemorate this historic event. Today the area offers a blend of Maori and colonial culture in a picturesque setting amid azure waters and emerald islands, with opportunities for hiking kayaking and fishing.
We started the day by visiting the Treaty House, touring the beautiful grounds around the house and visited the museum that explained the history around the Treaty of Waitangi.
After touring the meeting house, we took the shuttle bus into the town of Paihia, a quaint little fishing town located on the shores of the Waitangi Bay. We spent an hour or so checking out the local shops and enjoying the beautiful views from the towns wharf before boarding a small ferry to cross the bay to the town of Russel.
Russel is a beautiful colonial town that served as the first capital of New Zealand. Today Russel is a bustling tourist town famous for game fishing. We had a wonderful lunch with friends followed by shopping and a walk around the town before heading back to our ship for dinner.
Our next port of call is in Auckland, New Zealand where we will be docked for the next three days, 2-4 February.
“It’s not the journey, it’s the destination.” Unkown
Don & Kully's World Cruise on Viking Neptune 
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