Sunday, February 12, 2023

New Zealand Day 31

A short travel day, moving from Russell to Paihia that involved a short ferry ride across an inlet.  These two towns are opposite each other with a large bay in between.  But because of the ferry it feels as if Russell is an island.  We moved because Betsy and I wanted to be closer to our departing airport of Kerikeri; Jan, Ron, and Varis joined us, setting up for their tour of the north part of the North Island.

The morning's weather was much calmer, with little rain and light winds, so the drive to Paihia was quick and the ferry crossing easy.  We found our "beach house" for the next two nights.  Here is the view through our large picture window, across the bay full of sandy water.

After lunch, Betsy and I walked along the coast into the village of Paihia, looking at restaurant options.  Only a few seemed to be open; at least one was dealing with storm damage. Varis said that the stormy weather would return.  In fact, by mid afternoon, the rain was falling intensely but the wind was less strong. We spent the rest of the afternoon reading and watching the waves break on the beach.

The weather didn't stop Jan and Ron from going a 5+ mile walk.  It wasn't raining when they left but it was pouring on the way home.



The oldest church in New Zealand.

A memorial to some early seamen.

Flooding in the Russell church cemetery.

Ditto.

Some broken tree limbs.  The Fire and Rescue Department volunteers were out cleaning up danger spots.

Ditto.

View from Russell Promenade.

Ditto.

A historic mission and printing museum that we tried to visit, closed due to inclement weather.

The ferry.

View from the ferry.


We drove to dinner, enjoying Indian cuisine at Green's, a sister restaurant to the Green's Indian/Thai Restaurant in Russell, where we ate several nights ago.  The service was faster and smoother tonight, aided by Kitty the robot who delivered our dishes.  According to the human staff person, Kitty was developed during COVID to avoid human contact.



Kitty, who winks at you.

An early evening without Internet, for which we have no explanation.  Makes the large screen TV pointless  . . .




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