During our third day in Paihia we visited the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, listed as “one of the 101 Must Do’s for Kiwis” according to New Zealand’s Automobile Association.
It was here, on February 6, 1840, that the first 43 Maori chiefs, after much discussion, signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the British crown (eventually over 500 would sign it). (Lonely Planet New Zealand, 16th edition, pg. 146)
At the suggestion of our group leader, I purchased a one-year membership to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, which not only supports New Zealand’s efforts to protect their historic buildings, but also affords free entry to many trust properties located throughout New Zealand as well as Australia, England, and even a few Historic sites in the USA. For more information, visit their website.
I first used my membership in Russell, touring the Pompallier Mission which purports to be the oldest surviving industrial building in New Zealand.
Russell, formerly known as Kororareka, was the first permanent European settlement and sea port in New Zealand. It is situated in the Bay of Islands, in the far north of the North Island.
When European and American ships began visiting New Zealand in the early 1800s, the indigenous Māori quickly recognized there were great advantages in trading with these strangers.
Our first full day in New Zealand was February 6th, which happens to be a national holiday: Waitangi Day. It was on this date, in 1840, that the Maori people signed the Treaty of Waitangi, ostensibly making New Zealand part of the British empire, affording its people the same rights as other British subjects while guaranteeing Maori rights to their own land.
Although similarities have been drawn to treaties signed between the Native Americans and those who claimed their land, the politics of Waitangi Day are not the subject of this blog. (However, we did visit the Treaty House on the 7th — after the crowds thinned — and found it fascinating and mostly accessible. And that will be a future post.)
“New Zealand is a very accessible country,” I had been told prior to my recent month-long trip there. And with very few exceptions I found this to be true. For the next few weeks I will be sharing my experiences in this beautiful land, and when one of the “few exceptions” comes up, I’ll point it out .
The Big Travel Day had finally arrived: Sunday, February 3, 2013
I had prepared for months, researching travel guides and library books, checking Tripadvisor and taking lots of notes.
The following is a journal entry from my recent trip to New Zealand.
Sunday, March 3, 2013; Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand
The day began with a wonderful, meditative visit to Dunedin Botanic Gardens, the most beautiful garden I have ever seen.
It’s the oldest in New Zealand – just celebrated 150 years – and in my estimation the most beautiful and varied. (At one point I found myself comparing it to Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam. There’s really no comparison, as they are very different in type, size and memory.)
After quietly wandering for nearly an hour – we had been dropped off at 8:00 a.m. – I found a beautiful, quietly secluded place to sit and meditate and write.
Those thoughts follow …
I recently returned from 30 days in New Zealand.
There are so many adjectives I could use to describe this adventure. The best might be “Amazing!” Every single day, without exception, I saw, heard or experienced something absolutely wonderful!
I had been told that New Zealand is a very accessible country, and I found that statement to be true. I made copious notes, and took over 7,000 photos, so that I can share my experience with others who might be considering a trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud.
… but I have visited a few incredible museums!
Here’s a short list:
In the Netherlands:
In Italy:
In Egypt:
It’s the end of November: One week after Thanksgiving; three and a half weeks before Christmas.
The “Holiday Season.” A time when people frequently choose to visit family and friends. Or they decide to do just the opposite: Take a vacation and “get away from it / them all!”
On a Sunday in the middle of November, St. Nicholas, known as Sinterklaas in the Netherlands, arrives in Amsterdam.
In 2008 (November 16th), I was there to witness this colorful event! As my sweetheart and I were walking to Hortus Botanicus (Amsterdam’s amazing botanical garden) …
“We noticed children dressed up in caps of satin, with blackened faces; …”
Anything Is Possible Travel 