Bay of Islands

We woke to a beautiful sunny day on Friday with the temperature a balmy 16 degrees. Our friendly local tui was singing in the tree outside our window. We decided to spend the morning on a boat trip in the Bay of Islands. Aisling wasn't feeling too grand so she had a relaxing morning at the apartment instead. James, Jamie and I were welcomed by the friendly crew onto the catamaran which picked us up at the jetty. The water was rather choppy on the way out into the bay once we rounded Tapeka Point, but it was warm in the sunshine and we sat out on the top deck enjoying the views of the many islands and rock formations that are scattered around the bay. It was a spectacular journey. We came across a pod of about twenty dolphins and they surrounded the boat, swimming alongside and rolling over. Just as we were leaving them, two of them leaped in the air and did back flips! We arrived at our furthest point which was the amazing sea arch of Motukokako, and although the sea was too rough for the boat to go through the hole in the rock, we got scarily close and enjoyed watching the water churned my and foaming around the rocks. On our way back to Russell we stopped for about half an hour on Urupukapuka Island at Otehei Bay. It was so tranquil in the little bay, and we climbed a small grass covered hill. On the way up a very friendly fantail was hopping about and following me and even jumping in front of me on the path - it was such a cute wee thing and got so close! 

Aisling met us at the jetty; she was feeling much better and we all had lunch sitting outside the Waterfront Café in the sunshine. We had such a relaxing afternoon sitting on the balcony reading our books, writing postcards and watching the tui flitting about in the branches of the tree.

Our last night dinner was again at The Gables downstairs from the apartment. Quite a few of the other restaurants are being renovated just now (I suppose it's their quiet season) but we love it and we're keen to go back. When we took our seats we were surprised and very moved that Jamie and Aisling gave us a card and some very thoughtful gifts. It really has been a marvellous holiday and I will treasure our happy memories.