After going to bed way too early Tuesday night (8.30) we were awake at 4am, beds in the van surprisingly comfy, for me anyway, Kel and Terry ended up in the over cabin double bed and had to use a ladder to go to the conveniences at 2am - the van rocks if we sneeze!
Great start to the day with coffee, crumpets and beautiful early sunrise over the bay and friendly birds looking for scraps
. Then Kel and I decided to go for a walk which ended up being an amazing track lush with ferns and moss draped trees, was like a Hobbit track.. Then into town and quick lunch at the Alongside pub, who were gearing up for the big All Blacks v France game this weekend, last be service but the young waitress was excited to chat, almost like an annoying fly, just kept coming back for more chats, she was a sweety.
After checking in at GreatSights we boarded our big boat to tour the Bay of islands and hopefully to see some dolphins, the captain was great providing the history of Captain James Cook, who was only a Lieutenant when discovering the islands by mistake in 1769 and needing help to get permission to map the islands from the Maori people at the time. Lovely spot, Cook Cove named after him.
Our captain told us what qualified to be considered an island at least a metre above sea level with vegetation, otherwise it was just a rock, there are 144 islands here
. He made regular comment about the illusive dolphins along the 3 hour journey and with the wind in our hair and the beautiful blue skies we didn't mind. Arriving at the Hole in the a rock island some twat had strategically placed a craypot in the entrance and the safety decision was made not to drive through, although Terry and I both reckon the boat was too big, but we did go around the other side which was wider and drove in a few meters. Was awe inspiring!
So then, off we go still looking for dolphins, enjoying the jokes from the captain like if anyone falls out or loses their hat put your arm up and wave, then we will all wave back.....
Almost at the end and captain showed us where our Queen had stayed and the 'Sky' Owners house was, and there they were coming towards us, the captain goes crazy, 'there they are, they found us' a dozen dolphins with a baby as well, they were amazing putting on a show swimming under the boat and jumping and then after about 15mins of photo opportunities we slowly headed off and on picking up speed the captain said watch the wake...well how awesome the dolphins were just a metre off the engines and chasing the boat, jumping sometimes as many as three of them!
Thursday we are off to Auckland and Waitomo, see ya all then xxx
Boating, dolphins and relaxing
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand
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Comments

2025-02-06
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Kylie Gowlett
2015-10-15
Awesome blog. Keep it up. Love reading about it.
Mummy bear
2015-10-15
Brings back lots of memories, l love the bay of islands enjoy every moment wish I was there with you guys love mummy bear all good at your place kel
Chrissy
2015-10-15
Love the blog :) looks like you having a lovely time
kazkeltel
2015-10-15
Thanks all, enjoying the blog writing too, driving day today so not much to tell, big day tomorrow though with caves and Hobbiton with more driving. xxx