A cultural experience...

Today was a day of culture :)
The Bay of Islands is not only one of the most beatiful areas of New Zealand and a top holiday destination it is also the place where New Zealand bases it's 'modern' heritage - the place where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 by the Crown's representative of the day and Maori Chiefs from around the country. The Treaty effectively engaged both paties in an agreement to work collaborativley and equitably in the best interest of both Maori and Pakeha. It's the founding document on modern-day New Zealand - a bit like the Magna Carta or the US declaration of Independence.

So today I spent a fair whack of the day at Waitangi wandering around the treaty grounds, taking in the history of the modern country and thoroughly enjoying a different dimension to my holiday. Today's blip is one of the carvings in the Meeting House in the Treaty grounds.

The down side is, as I mentioned, the Bay of Islands is a very popular summer holiday destination........AND it's started to hint at rain and impending bad weather. The combination of these 2 things does not please me!!!!

I have nevertheless opted for a night here but rain is forecast for tomorrow so I think I'll be heading out fairly smartly as soon as I can. Hopefully it'll be less rainy further south....

Well, that's the plan.......

Overspill pics