The Bay of Islands in New Zealand's Northland is renowned for its beauty, in particular the scenic coastline, and is also historically important as this is the area where the Europeans first settled and the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. It was difficult to appreciate any of this during our first encounter - a miserable, wet, grey, overcast weekend when Vince and I paid a whistle-stop visit. So from that time there are just a few snaps of Russell, a pretty little town which is home to the oldest church in New Zealand and the Duke of Marlborough Hotel which was the first licensed hotel in the country. I have also included some pictures of the now famous Hundertwasser toilets in Kawakawa, designed by Austrian architect and adopted New Zealander, Freidrich Hundertwasser - I love them and am sure you will agree they are unique! A repeat trip was necessary in November 2005 when my sister and her friend were visiting. On this occasion we stayed longer, had brilliant sunshine, saw dolphins and had a chance to see the Waitangi Treaty House and grounds. Oh, and we visited the toilets again and I still like them just as much! WORK IN PROGRESS - CHECK BACK LATER FOR MORE!!