Arriving in the Bay of Islands early this morning, it was a little disappointing. We only saw one island! The Bay is 30 km wide so where are the islands? Later we realised that they are on the other side of the ship. After having chosen a starboard cabin, who would have thought that for our first stop in NZ we would be on the wrong side?

Anyway it was a beautiful morning. Bright sunshine and calm water.

We caught separate tender boats into the port so that Jo could do a coach tour to “the Treaty House”, the sight of a treaty between the Moari people and the British early in the 1800’s (which was heavily in favour of the British) and I could take a kayaking tour. Jo found her tour to be a bit underwhelming but I enjoyed my trip. I paddled 5 km in an interesting estuary to a waterfall and quite enjoyed it.

Back on board mid-afternoon we were able to relax before cocktails in Eden bar for more relaxing, this time chatting to others while waiting for sunset. We were so busy chatting that we forgot to look at the sunset. Sailing time was after dark so we still haven’t seen the other islands in Bay of Islands.

Dinner in Tuscan restaurant was good, as usual, then suddenly it was almost bed time – time goes so quickly.