Bay of Islands - Hole in the Rock

We joined Elder and Sister Trupin last weekend at the Bay of Islands. They both entered and finished the Kerikeri half-marathon whose finish line was about 15 miles north of the Bay of Islands. Following the race, we took a three hour cruise through the beautiful Bay and fortunately, the sea was calm enough that we were able to take the large boat that seats about 75 through the Hole in the Rock. We also spotted numerous dolphins while in route to the rock. We also visited the Waitangi Treaty House where the treaty between the British and the first 40 of the 512 tribes of Maories was signed in 1840. Most historians claim that this treaty was the beginning of modern civilization in New Zealand.