http://blink4626069.friendlinkup.com/ Experiencing New Zealand en http://blink4626069.friendlinkup.com/2008/08/23/bay-of-islands-boulevard-of-broken-dreams.html  Friday, February 22nd The Bay of Islands on the northern part of New Zealand’s North Island as well as is one of the an estimated all beautiful places to visit in the world. The Bay of Islands is comprised of more than 144 islands as well as is a water sports person’s paradise. You can take your pick from jet boating, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, island cruise, water skiing, as well as more. We spent Friday in the town of Paihia in the Bay of Islands, which is the site of the first permanent contact between Maoris as well as Europeans as well as also the site of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on February 6th 1840 as well as is New Zealand’s founding document, an agreement between the British government as well as the Maori. Unfortunately history was not on our side today as well as Shawn as well as I found ourselves walking out of our three hour bus ride in the midst of gale-force winds as well as torrential downpours. This forecast necessitated every imaginable activity being canceled as well as we were forced into ducking sideways rain, eating, as well as souvenir shopping before catching our bus back to Auckland. Despite a few landslides as well as a turned over police car, the three hour drive back was pretty uneventful. Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:33:35 -0400 blink4626069