Kerikeri - June 18

We are still staying in Russell, the room is extremely comfortable to me at the moment because I have been struck down by an ailment, commonly known as the cold (or maybe the flu).  All I know is I feel terrible, scratchy throat, headache, painful sinuses, congested nose and throat.  How is that to start the last few days here!  Can't stay in the room all day, have to continue on as we only have 2 days left and one has to get us back to Auckland.

We drove to Kerikeri today, only about 27km, short trip but let me tell you, it was a beautiful one.  We passed through a little community, Paihia, a beautiful spot, nice beach, looked to be fairly high end, and then we got to Kerikeri...it is very high end.  Apparently all of the wealthy people from the South Island come up to spend the winter here.  I can understand why, average temperature in summer 26 and in winter 16...I can see why it is a popular spot.  The day we were there it was drizzly, however, it was very nice, no jackets.  We wandered around the shops, had a lovely lunch in a street side cafe and then decided we needed to do some real sightseeing, learn about the past...

Believe it or not, this is one of the first settlements, looks to be in pretty good shape doesn't it!

A nice little creek in front of the settlement

The old stone store, still in use today...they still have barrels of nails, and gardening things, however, it is mostly tourist stuff...very neat to see though.  They even have Hudson Bay blankets there...no mention of Canada though.

This is the entry to the Pa, a fortified Maori community.

They always have so many carvings, quite elaborate too

A view of the store from the Pa

Dalton always has to capture the boats

The houses are so little, you have to crawl into them, the windows are small, to let the smoke out from the fire... The houses are mainly used for sleeping and during bad weather, otherwise they (the Maori) spend all their time outside

This would be like a safe, where they keep their valuables

This is where their "Medicine Man" (they don't call that, but I forgot what they call him.  He is their healer and teacher)

I am holding up the Silver Fern, their National symbol.  Anything to do with New Zealand has a silver fern on it and it looks lovely.