New Zealand—Paihia, February 1 & 2, 2025

 Auckland to Paihia—February 1, 2025

Saturday was a travel day and our first Intercity bus trip and it turned out better than I anticipated. The bus was comfortable, clean, and the driver was professional and set the tone before leaving Auckland by announcing that any misbehavior or untoward comments would not be tolerated unless you wanted to be left on the side of the road. Of course, she said it more professionally than that, but the message was clear.

Saturday morning on an Auckland balcony.

We strolled along the harbor to pass some time before 1PM bus.

She (and her dad) had the same idea. Just meandering.

This mural is painted on an apartment building opposite St. Patrick's Cathedral.

And we're off north to Paihia.

Intercity's coaches are fabulous.

Paihia—February 2, 2025

Home for the next three nights.

This was blooming on our balcony.

On Sunday we went to the iSite tourist information booth to ask about visiting the Waitangi Treaty Grounds only to find out that about 70,000 people would be attending the Waitangi Day Festival. Well, that settled that, so we satisfied our curiosity by exploring its website, reading about the treaty online, and looking at the grounds from the harbor. So, between the cruise ship arrival the day before and the celebration, we decided to take the ferry across the Bay of Islands to Russell, another cute and historic town.

The view of the Bay of Islands while walking from our motel into town.

Cruise ship anchored off Paihia. We were warned about being invaded by passengers Monday.

Where we had dinner Saturday night. Good food and good value.

The wharf to catch the ferry to Russell.

Artsy benches at the Paihia pocket park by the wharf.

Black billed-gulls the size of arctic terns waiting for french fries. Sorry guys, we didn't have any!

This one walked up to me—hoping.

This sticker was pasted on the trash bin in the pocket park.

And next to that was this water bottle refilling station.

And here's a close up of the sculpture.

 

 

 

We had hoped to take a long walk, and even attempted one, but by 11AM it was 82F, so we turned around and spent some time cooling down in the shade at the town's pocket park near the wharf while figuring out our next move. Basically, we decided to purchase a few items at the grocery store, return to our air conditioned studio, and wait out the midday heat.

We walk past this place on our way to town and it makes me giggle every time.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds from Paihia wharf.

Shops and restaurants next to Paihia's wharf.

Williams House, now Paihia's library.

Big tree on the Williams family grounds, now a park.

This tree is also on the Williams family grounds. Loved its look.

This is the tree we look at from our studio balcony.