Today we visited the Waitangi Treaty Grounds – the site of the first treaty signed between the British Crown and the Maori tribes. We took a guided tour, which included a visit to a Maori war canoe carved to commemorate the Waitangi treaty, signed in 1840. The canoe is housed in a special building, decorated with symbolic carvings.

The war canoe is taken out once a year on February 6th, the date the treaty was signed. It is huge, requiring at least 80 people to row it, but it is also rather fast, having been clocked at over 25 knots. It is also richly decorated.

The prow has elaborate carvings.

They have also preserved the stump of one of the three Kauri trees used for the war canoe. This picture gives you an idea of how large the trees were.

We were also treated to a Maori cultural demonstration, including how guests were welcomed, but only after they confirmed that they came in peace.

Later in the day I wanted to check out a trail very close to our hotel. It started with a paved path, that quickly changed to a gravel path…

And then the trail ended… maybe?

Unless, of course, I was supposed to continue over these rocks.

I decided I was on the wrong path, so I backtracked and found another path. It also started fine, but then went straight uphill and into bush.

This was when AllTrails beeped in my pocket, notifying me that I seemed to have gone off the trail. It didn’t actually say “you idiot” but I was pretty sure that is what it was thinking. Still, I was very glad for the warning. But before I turned around, I came to a lookout, where I spotted someone parasailing. That looks really interesting.

After turning around yet again, I was back to the starting point. This time I continued over the rocks until it came to a proper beach. I finally knew that I was on the correct trail.

The rocks weren’t easy to walk on, but they were interesting to look at.

All my wrong turns meant that I ran out of time and had to head back. It also made me thirsty, and since it was Monday, my mind turned to Monday Beer Club, and a flight of NZ beer.

Then it was off to dinner. We decided to eat at the Wave, which looked like a traditional restaurant. At least until the meals started arriving at the tables, delivered by…

Fortunately a person came and placed the meal on the table, but the robot smiled and thanked you in a sweet voice before it turned and headed back to the kitchen.

It was kind of cute … for about three seconds. Then … not so much. It was interesting, but I really hope it doesn’t catch on.

But the food was tasty. I’m confident it was prepared by a human.