Greetings From

 Napier was hit by a massive earthquake in 1931 and reconstructed into an art deco paradise. Hawk’s Bay has more than 70 vineyards, and wool and wood are their exports. But today, there was a gin tasting at the old Tobacco company building.  I’ve been sampling the gin and rum. Wellington tomorrow

Rotorua or Tauranga (safe anchorage) is nestled on the Bay of Plenty and a geothermal site where the extinct volcano that helped form New Zealand resides. Today was Māori heritage and geothermal experiences.  And the geothermal: bubbling mud and geysers  The smell of sulphur and all that mud reminded me to do my laundry today!!

 Auckland or City of Sails The weather was perfect today. Warmer but no humidity. I’m told February can bring humidity of 100%.  Auckland is a commercial area, but they have a rich history with tribal people fighting for their land.  I went for a walk, so here is the commercial part. Here is the beach part of the port And here is the historical part. One tribe loaned some land to the government. 120 years later, the government tried to sell the land. All tribes came together to stage a sit in. They won their land back!! Here is the place of the sit in. (Two pictures above) They are proud of their military and art history A Rolls Royce engine for the plane!

Welcome to New Zealand!! Bay of Islands, New Zealand consists of about 144 smaller islands.  This island, Waitangi, means weeping waters in Māori. Treaty signed with British here in 1840.  Stone Station oldest building Māori canoe.  Public bathroom created by a famous artist who lived here Train going through the town Rainbow falls Just listen! Temperature was 73 degrees with no humidity