“I shall act as a man”

A Maori woman saved the Waka (long boat) from drifting out to sea. But a woman was forbidden from paddling a Waka. The Maori warriors had gone into the bush. So Waikaka swam to get the canoe and said “I shall act as a man”. And saved all the food that was in the canoe. Her statue is on the rock when you sail into Whakatane from the sea into the river.

Here is the rock. I am trying to stand like Waikaka.

Here is the Waka canoe

We rode our bikes to see Waikaka. We rode 12km there and back on a cycle track.

The Maori children taught us how to jump in the sea the Maori way.

White Island is a volcano named by Captain Cook. It is active and we are going there on Friday by boat. Here is what it looks like.

The lake is green and smells like eggs. 🤢

See the link on You Tube

We will spend about 3 hours walking on the volcano.

Captain Cook swapped things with the Maori in Whakatane and went onto Hawaii where he got killed trying kidnap a Hawaiian chief.

His ship was called The Endeavour and he sailed it to Hawaii.

Walking on the Local beach in Whakatane and learning to land a somersault on the trampoline with my cousins

Whakatane Pronounced Fakka-tarnie

Just running on the beach

My cousin Piper and I’m dancing on the sea shore

Flying in Whakatane

My cousin Holly

Later this week we are going to fly in a sea airplane to the volcano. It’s called White Island because it has white smoke. It is still active. If it erupts it will set off a big wave called a Tsunami. The People in Whakatane talk about the wave coming one day.

Then we’re taking a jet boat to Huka Falls on Lake Taupo and going down the big river rapids.

Late night Stargazing

On the last night daddy and Nigel woke us up so we could see millions of stars and some planets. The Great Barrier Island is a world heritage Dark Zone the first island.

Dad and Nige saw a big shooting star.

We could all see the Milkyway which is made up of a trillion stars in a big cloud across the sky. It was really dark. The moon is upside down

we couldn’t take a photo it was too dark and the stars were too far away. But it was very cool.

Nigel caught 3 Snappers and a red pig fish

a Pacific Snapper

Nigel’s late night fishing

Layla fishing in the sea we threw the dead fishes back into the sea

we all ate Snapper and pasta for dinner dad and Nigel ate the red pig fish holly caught a jelly fish with her net

5 hour ferry from Auckland. Dark zone for star gazing. Fishing kayaking camping

ferry leaves Auckland dolphins on the way

Getting to the Island and jumping in the sea with my. Cousins

. We had to set up our tents. I shared with Holly. Dad shared with Dom.

We kayak down the river to the beach. We all catch tiny fish in the river.

kayaks for everyone

Fishing. Nige fetches the kayaks. kayaking to the beach

Harataonga beach

3 hour drive and 5 hour ferry to The Great Barrier Island.

Kiwi Family Rowland do Bear Grylls. No electricity internet or shops. Outdoor camping – eat what you catch, go where you can, wilderness experience. Dads gone for a lie down 😂

The Great Barrier Island

https://www.newzealand.com/int/great-barrier-island/

It is the worlds first island to a designated World Dark Zone for Astronomers. You can see other planets.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/science/95959306/great-barrier-island-recognised-as-a-dark-sky-sanctuary

I will be Back blogging in one week

HEADING FOR THE STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Holly jumps in slo mo

Relaxing

having fun with Layla don piper and Holly 😀😀

First time I stood up …

First time I stood up ❤️❤️