December 28

The first day in New Zealand proper, and I awoke at 0600 – hot as the air-conditioner only runs for an hour before having to be reset and because I was still stewing over last night.
Eventually I got up at 0700 and made cups of tea and we had them with Teddy Bear biscuits. After I had put the air-conditioner on again, I finally rose at 0730 and showered and dressed. Fran followed, then we packed and were down just before 0800.
Here I had my confrontation with the desk staff now on duty (the night clerk, Leo, had gone). After a few minutes I got the duty manager and she agreed to arrange to have the ticket paid by the hotel. Let’s just say I can be forceful when there is a problem which I perceive to be of another’s making.
We were soon out of the hotel and I left Fran on the kerb with the luggage while I went to extricate the car from the parking station next door.
One I had got the car, I loaded it up and we were off out of Auckland. Within a few minutes we were on the motorway, heading north over the harbour bridge (and its Nippon Clip-ons). Despite roadworks, we had a good run out of Auckland and into the country.
We stopped at just after 1000 for breakfast at a place at the side of the road. Although it had “We are simply the best” painted on its driveway, it looked a bit iffy. Once in the parking area, there was an excellent view and the place turned out to be clean and cheap , with good food and a good view from inside.
After that good fortune we continued on to Whengerei. Here we stopped at the Pack’n’Save supermarket and did some shopping to see us through the rest of the day and perhaps a few more days.
We continued on to Paihai, on the Bay of Islands, and checked into the Bounty Motel. At first glance it seemed good. We booked trips for tomorrow (to Cape Rienga) and the day after (the Cream Run through the actual bay) and then had lunch in the room. We had no problem getting a twin, but apparently the New Zealand Tourist Board has us booked as a double – this is worthy of a stern note.
Once lunch was over, we drove to Russell on the ferry. In Russell we looked over the historic church (with its bullet holes) and walked through much of the town. We had our first New Zealand ice creams there.
On the way back to Paihai we called in at the old capitol site (Okiato). This was now just a grassed area and a walk to the bay, but it had wonderful houses built around it.
Our return ferry ride was on other ferry – the one we went over on was all women in the crew, including the captain, but this had a male captain. The trip is only five minutes.
We returned to the motel, parked and then had a look around Paihai on foot. Then wedrove to the treaty grounds at Waitangi, arriving about 1730. Here we saw the treaty house, canoes and meeting house and then saw a short film on the area. We left about 1840.
Back at Paihai we got fish, chips and potato cakes for tea and drove back to have them at the motel. While I was copying pictures, I found wireless Internet was on and went and got the password. After that, I checked my email, set up the photos and started to write tonight’s blog, but was too tired. I did a summary and went to sleep. Fortunately I had my iPod with earphones to listen to, so I could get to sleep despite noises within and without the room.
For anyone holidaying in this area, I can recommend the Bounty Motel – friendly, helpful staff, clean and comfortable rooms, close (but not too close) to the centre of town and free WiFi Internet (if you have your laptop).
I got to sleep very soon.