Monday, April 4, 2011

The Far North

Thursday, March 31, 2011
                We left early this morning to drive up to the Northland. We drove for about an hour and stopped to see the oldest tree in New Zealand, the McKinney Kauri tree. It took all 16 of us standing around the tree to get all the way around. James gave each of us an orange lava lava to wear and showed us how to tie them. They are so cool. I really like them and am excited to wear mine.

We then drove 10 minutes to go to the best bakery for meat pies in New Zealand; the Picnix Bakery in Warkworth. I bought my first meat pie. It was chicken cranberry and so good. Definitely agree that it is the best in New Zealand.

2 hours later we reached a little town where there are some beautiful mosaic toilets and a mosaic tiled garden across the street it was pretty cool. It is classic road tripping when you get to stop along the way and enjoy some classic sights. We made it to our motel in Pahia, a small coastal town and we can see the beach from our window. I just love it. I can’t wait to go for a walk along the bay.

We headed up to the Waitangi treaty grounds where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in the 1800s between Britain and the Maori people. The treaty is equivalent to the Declaration of Independence in America, so it was pretty cool to see. We got to see a huge wakka/canoe that they take out on the water once a year, the treaty house, and the meeting house. There was so much history. This sight is the birthplace of New Zealand history. I quite enjoyed it. To get up to the treaty house we walked along the coast and it was so gorgeous to look out over, one of my new favorite sights in New Zealand. We also walked through some bush with cool jungle bridges. I felt like I was in Tarzan or something. So fun.

We came back for dinner and then James taught all of us how to make Poi Balls. It actually took some time, but all you need is yarn, plastic bags, tape, and cotton. It was fun to make the balls and I am looking forward to playing with them. I could start my own poi ball show in the states. 

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