Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Radiance OTS, Day 11, March 29, 2014

This was our last port of call on this cruise which means we will be leaving this beautiful ship soon. Bay of Islands is made up of several coastal towns and it was another tendering port. As usual, we started our day early by taking the Early Bird Special between 7:00~7:45am when no tender ticket was needed.  Otherwise, they were giving out tender tickets at 8:30 for the first tender at 9:30.

Another gorgeous sunrise greeted us.

As we boarded the tender, we were told by the crew that there were dolphins swimming nearby.

Part of the Waitangi Golf Course

Arriving Waitangi Wharf

After taking the free shuttle to Paihia, we walked about 50 yards to the peir for our ferry ride to Russell.

Sign at the ferry ticket counter

We got on the top deck of the ferry.

another ferry at the pier

A small island off of Paihia as our ferry left the pier.

on the ferry

Arriving Russell Wharf

getting off the ferry

Russell was very quiet this early in the morning.

We followed the Strand off the wharf to the Pompallier Mission at the end.

peaceful and quaint

The craft market at the Russell Town Hall was opened.

We had to skip the Pompallier Mission because they won't open until 10:00.

Christ Church--the first Christian church in New Zealand.

A small, cute church

Each cushion has a different needle point design.

The museum was not opened either. So we just walked up York and took in the beauty of this town.

Police Station

Today, nothing in Russell will bring the nickname "Hell Hole of the Pacific" to mind. From a lawless  and bawdy port to a tranquil beautiful town.

Spotted at the back of a pick-up truck. Somebody caught a lobster!

Back to the waterfront on the Strand

Customs House

Morton Bay Fig Tree

We spent about two hours here in Russell before taking the ferry back to Paihia.

in the habor of Paihia

Crossing the street from the pier to the center of town.

By now, it became quite busy in town.

Village Green and Craft Market

Williams Road

Next to the War Memorial Hall, there's the public library where Wi-fi is accessible around the building.

This gentleman was playing music on this old record player outside the War Memorial Hall.

After 10 days at sea, we were craving for some authentic Chinese food and found them at this Chinese Restaurant (京華) in the Mall. $12 Braised beef and tendon with rice, excellent!

Won ton soup $10.90

We also had ice cream at the ice cream shop in the Mall.

After walking around a little more in town, we took the shuttle back to the wharf. Before the wharf, the bus made a stop at the Waitangi Visitor Center where we wanted to see the Treaty House. We ended up not going in because it cost $25pp for admission. The strange thing was that they asked where we were from and then told us how much it will cost us. Not sure if the admission fee is charged according to where you are from and we felt a little strange and decided to leave. The group behind us who were from Australia also turned around and left without going in.

We only got to see what they had at the entrance.

The ground of the treaty house.

Entrance

It was an easy walk back to the wharf from the Waitangi Visitor Center unless you want to wait for the free shuttle.

For dinner that evening, we had specially pre-ordered the prime rib the night before and it was wonderful!

Pool Buffet that evening, but we were not hungry at all so we just went to see what was going on.

Dancing under the stars, with many ship officers leading the party til 1:00am.