New Year, New Adventure- Part 13 of 13

The overnight run from Tauranga took the ship 200 nautical miles up the North Island to the Bay of Islands. The weather cooperated with following wind and seas.

The ship was met by the harbourmaster and escorted to an anchorage off the historic Waitangi peninsula. It is the site of the 1840 signing of an agreement between the British Crown and the assembled Maori chiefs. The Treaty is a huge part of New Zealand history. Read about it here.

The ship tender dropped us off at the Bay of Islands Yacht Club, where the cruise line had engaged the use of their dock and facilities for the day. The morning weather was cool with a steady drizzle that gave way to breezy down-pours by afternoon.

Up in the hills, well inland from the Bay, we made our first stop of the day at a cave known for it resident population of “glow worms.”

The Arachnocampa luminosa is actually a variety of gnat, but its super power is a segment of its larva form that glows a blue green color. Because the owners of the Kawiti caves are very restrictive when it comes to photography, you can check them out here.

When we emerged from the cave, we had a quick lunch in the crossroad town of Kawakawa and checked out the local attraction before heading further up into the hills.

Our climb back in time ended at the Manginangina Reserve. It is a protected forest that is home to the ancient Kauri tree.

The species is massive, rivaling the Redwoods of California. They grow in rainforest conditions and can live for 2000 years. The trees are quite impressive, but when it is raining hard, it is difficult to get a photo that really captures the immense girth and height without filling the camera lense with water.

On the way back down from the Kauri forest, we made a quick, rain dampened stop at Kerikeri, one of the first places the Maori and Europeans lived side by side. The shelter was recently built to store and exhibit a waka taua, or war canoe, for use on the Kerikeri inlet.

‍ Built at the mouth of the Waipekakoura River, ‍The Mission Station is the oldest surviving building in the country.

Our day ashore ended back at the BOIYC, where we checked out the boat park and club house. It felt a lot like home, except for the tropical trees.

Waiting our turn for the tender.

Sunset for our last night at sea. The short trip south to Aukland was memorable for the headwind and sizable seas. The pitching and rolling were enough to make you wonder if gravity was going to be enough to keep you in bed. Not to worry, the rough patch ended when the ship ducked behind the Barrier Islands near Aukland.

The ship entered port while we slept, so 619 passengers awoke to a view of rainy Aukland. Our original plan called for a day enjoying the town before boarding the flight home, but a transportation snafu changed the plan and we departed the ship directly for the airport.

Our last look at the ship. So long Pursuit, We’ll probably see you somewhere down the road.

Thank the Lord, our flight home went according to plan. The haul from Aukland to San Francisco was several hours shorter and less crowded than the out-bound flight. The Captain had entire row in the 777 to herself! United dumped us in the CBP line right on time and we were easily able to make the connection to Chicago and then home to Ohio.

The lights of northern Indiana are somehow more beautiful when they are illuminating the path home.

The first morning at home in the New Year. Sometimes traveling increases your appreciation of the view from your own kitchen table.