Paul and I have been mooching around the Bay of Islands, exploring all the historical sights. It is amazing how you can live in a country and never get to see its history/historical sights. You tend to leave all of that to the tourists.
We visited Marsden Cross, the sight of the first Christian Missionary in New Zealand. Then we went up to KeriKeri and explored Kemp House and the Stone Store, the sight of the next Christian Mission. Then on our return to Russell we visited Pompallier Mission the first Catholic Mission. The stories of these Missionaries and the hardships they endured are pretty amazing. The Maori were a formidable race, but they also were after as much as they could get out of the Missionaries ( by the sounds of it mainly guns so they could kill each other). The Bay is definitely the birthplace of our nation, but unfortunately now it is the tourist mecca.
We have now moved over to Opunga Bay to wait out a SE blow, only 20-25 knots but it is nice to find a bit of shelter.
Hi
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazing place. Was the home of the first capital city. Helps with understanding why Waitangi is so special to Maori. Did you go to Waitangi this year since you were close by?