The Genesis

March 9 came around and our intrepid group of walkers met up at the Gold Coast Airport. Our three hour Virgin flight to Auckland went smoothly and we stayed overnight at the Heartland Airport Hotel. After breakfast we picked up our van and made our way north towards the Bay of Islands, an area of enormous historical significance to Aotearoa and where we would commence our trek. Along the way the scenery was spectacular with scattered azure blue lakes and lush verdant countryside while further north we were greeted with lofty peaks and undulating valleys.We passed through the town of Whangarei to where we would return on the 12th to celebrate Waitangi Day with a cultural performance and hangi or Maori bar-b-que organised for us by local Maoris. 0ur destination was Russell, an idyllic holiday spot a little further on from Whangarei which we reached by car ferry. In the early 19th century Russell became Aotearoa's first European settlement It was formally known by its Maori name of Kororareka or Sweet Penguin..We are staying here three nights at the Orongo Holday Park and thus will have plenty of time to walk and explore this picturesque corner of New Zealand.