DAY SIX - 29TH AUGUST  - OPONONI TO RUSSELL

Lovely night and breakfast at the Opononi hotel, a quant friendly place and very comfortable. A short drive and Gary stopped to we could photograph some cows...wouldn't be a trip to New Zealand without a cow photo!

Then a winding and narrowish road through a couple of small towns to stop at the grounds mentioned below. We paid the works for a tour but first a scone and coffee in the beautiful cafe.

The whole experience was so interesting. The guide explained everything well and had a sense of humor too. The scenery is beautiful (Bay of Plenty) and the exhibits and cultural show terrific.We started at the ceremonial "boat", then the treaty house and Meeting House with a dance group.  Back to the Museum of the Price of citizenship and then the Waitangi Museum.

Displays were modern and well explained and we could have spent many more hours there.

A short drive and a car ferry to the lovely little town of Russell. Here we are staying at the Malborough Hotel, the oldest licensed pub in New Zealand. A gourmet dinner tonight ...but a milk arrowroot for breakfast in the morning!

Everywhere you drive you see clumps of these lilies.