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the other great piece of history in the bay of islands was awaiting
in Waitangi.
The Waitangi Treaty was a great document that set race
relations in new zealand apart
from any other European settled colony.
In 1840, the British crown organized the signing of this treaty
by Maori chiefs,
where in exchange for British sovereignty,
the Maoris were promised rights and privileges as British subjects
and full possession of their lands and waters.
i also stopped in Oponini, home of Opo, the Gay dolphin.
Back in the fifties, this wild dolphin (later known as Opo)
started making visits to the harbour in Oponini -
playing around with swimming kids, letting people pet him,
learning some tricks, and becoming an all-around celebrity for this
small town.
Opo was mysteriously found dead less than a year later
(locals suspect foul play) and you can view a humurous film
(circa 1955; entitled Opo, the Gay Dolphin)
at the visitor's center all about his life and times.
His gravesite is marked with an interesting monument
of a boy 'riding' Opo.
at the very northwest of the North Island of New Zealand,
90 mile beach (actually 60 miles long and topped by Cape Reinga)
allures travelers, fishermen and walkers.
there are great sand dunes surrounding it,
and you are invited to take a boogie board and slide down them
as if you were sledding in the snow.
it was actually great fun.
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