NZ: Bay of Islands

My last stop before flying home was the Bay of Islands.  This is a few hours north of Auckland and as the name suggests there are tons of islands in a bay (144 to be exact).  I also toured up the the north tip of NZ which means I've been to both the most northern and southern parts of NZ (not including Stewart Island which is south of the South Island).  Here are some pics:

Kauri tree - very old and very large

Pointing the way to Warkworth

We went on a glass bottom boat and went by this cave

Practicing my mad photo skills over lunch at the beach

Again with the mad photo skills - this is one of my faves

We had to wait on these sheep to cross the road

Me at the beach!

Where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet - see the line?

The most northern part of NZ - pointing the way to Vancouver!

Sand boarding - so much fun!

Oh yeah!

Giant Kauri staircase over 1,000 years old

At the beach - again

Kayaks

Kayaking

On a 5KM hike

The waterfall at the end of the hike

Paihia - jewel of the Bay of Islands

NZ: Auckland

I spent a few days in Auckland wandering around before heading north.

Quay Street

Yes, yes, yes.

Stairs up Mt. Eden

Don't do it.

The crater

Hello Bee

Dark and twisty

Sky tower

Sky Tower at night

Ferry Terminal at night

NZ: Christchurch

I was in Christchurch for a couple of days.  There's still signs of the earthquake damage with buildings closed and streets blocked off.  I even felt an aftershock the other night!  Here are some pics:

Street art

Action packed

The river

I went to an exhibit by Ron Mueck at the Art Gallery

Red telephone booths

The aquarium

The museum

I climed 134 steps to the top of the cathedral

On the street