Bay of Islands

VulcanSpirit
Richard & Alison Brunstrom
Thu 2 May 2013 08:23
We've relaunched, fixed a few teething problems, and relocated to Opua in the Bay of Islands from where we will leave NZ in a couple of weeks. On the way up here we stopped in the famous Bay of Islands, in glorious autumn sunshine, to do a bit of exploring.
 
This is the view from the top of Moturohia. Alison is experimenting with panoramas - this first shot is wide and thin and extends well to the right. I'm not sure how it will appear in the Blog - you may or may not be able to see it all. 
 
 
This is the view looking east from the top of Moturua Island (motu means island in Maori, and rua is two, so this translates as two island island - a tautological mistake common across the world). In the far distance is Piercey Rock at Cape Brett, the southern entrance to the Bay.
 
 
And here is Mangahawea Bay on Moturua, looking northwest towards Kerikeri in the far distance. Vulcan Spirit is floating placidly just off the beach.
 
 
And here she is, in a shark's eye view taken by one of the crew members who ventured into the autumnal water; actually still rather warm at about 20 degrees she says. The new arch is roasting in the sun, making lots of lovely electricity.
 
 
Behind the boat is the front of our new aluminium RIB (rigid inflatable boat = dinghy), bought for landing on hard tropical beaches - and protecting the occupants from marauding saltwater crocodiles in Australasia.