New Zealand, in the beginning.

My blip today comes from New Zealand’s Bay Of Islands. In all there are around 140 islands in close proximity to the north of the island. I haven’t done a sunrise as a blip so far, but today at sea of the islands posed an ideal opportunity. In the 9th century a large group of south sea natives paddled their canoes from the islands around Polynesia, landing in New Zealand(NZ). 900 years later Captain James Cook landed on the shores, claiming NZ as a British colony. There were many conflicts between the English and the original inhabitants of NZ. Eventually a treaty was signed between the parties at a place called Waitangi. The gradual signing of the treaty by the warring parties bought a level of peace. The largest community in the area was a town called Russell, high on a hill above the town proudly stood a tall white flagstaff, flying a British flag. Over the centuries the flagstaff has been cut down by disgruntled Maori natives. To this day, the flagstaff has a sheath of steel to prevent any further damage.
Additional photo, the headstone inscribed with the names of some who lost their lives defending New Zealand as a British colony. We have come a long way!