tourist time in Opua area

we went for a exploring time to the Kawiti glow worm caves - very cool! limestone cave full of glow worms. this peticular cave has been in the same family for over 300 years. the glow worms looked like stars in the sky! we all love it. We went right through the cave from one end to the other and then did a " bushwalk" throught the forest. sure reminds me of BC!
then we stopped in Kawakawa to see the famous toilets. yes that's right toilets. These are the most funkiest washrooms I have ever seen. Annette you'd love them!! This ia also where the vintage railway is and we saw the steam engine go on by.
the day before we went to some waterfalls and walked a wonderful trail there! just love the vegetaion here.
Most of the boats we know are now here and we are very happy to see them all! our newest friends " Meridain " arrived with Tin Soldier on Saturday. so good to have them here.
Saturday night we went to the Bay of Islands Culture Show- all about the story of New Zealand and the treaty of Waitangi. the show was in this beautiful sacred Maori building! beautiful singing and dancing . We learned all about the first Maori to come from Tahiti to NZ - the arrival of the Europeans , signing of the treaty and all the customs the Maori's have. It so reminded us of our own first nations! Sally of Dorothy Marie took some photos that I will post later once I get them. doesn't do it justice though! the show combines Maori culture, live drama and covers the arrival of Kupe , the first Maori cheif to discover NZ. loved it!!!

We had a big fish feast aboard Orca III on Sunday with 6 other boats - what a feast ! sure was fun sharing all that fish. And we still have a ton!! Steve is working today and it has been raining and very windy all yesterday and today - they are callling for 50 knt gusts!
enough talking - enjoy the photos


Maya at the Hunderwasser's Kawakawa Toilets
Exit to Kawiti Glow - Worm ( Pura Toke in Maori) cave!
Emily and Kyle on the trail by the waterfall! very much like BC
Waterfall is small compared to some in BC - here are the kids! we had a nice day!