Hell hole of the Pacific?...Yeah right!

Just across the water from Paihia lies the quaint little village of Russell. Once known as the "hell hole of the Pacific" due to its status as a major trading post and subsequent rise in drinking holes and brothels, James Busby was tasked with cleaning up the town's act upon his appointment as Governor.

Today its trade is much more serene in nature, mostly based around the clear waters of the surrounding bays, where fishing and diving are the most raucous activities. Many of the town's traditional buildings are still standing, giving an eerie sense of having stepped back in time a little once you get there.

The claim to house the country's oldest petrol station - which looks like it was cut out of the corner of someone's house! - helps with this feel.

But as for being the "hell hole of the Pacific", to quote an iconic series of beer billboard adverts in NZ, Yeah Right!

Islands in a bay!

Next stop on the tiki tour was the Bay of Islands, known for its on water life and diving. Neither of which we could really do due to having the pooch with us. Still, it's a nice place to hang out.

The weather finally started to clear up for us and the heat turned up.

Seeing the cruise ship moored out in the bay near Paihia seemed surreal compared to the professional cruise ship harbour we have in Wellington, but I guess needs must when there's nowhere for a boat that big to berth any closer to land.

We managed to get the last site at a campsite too, and what a peach it is. With a direct view over the Haruru Falls, it's rather a pleasant place to spend the night.