Bay of Wonders

The LA Times offers a brief guide to NZ’s Bay of Islands, home to “some of the best scenery in the country.” Visitors are advised to check out the arts and crafts centres at Kerikeri, take a ferry ride from Paihia to Russell, and go diving off Poor Knights Island (recommended one of the world’s top ten dives by Jacques Cousteau). LA Times: “The sheer natural beauty of the Bay of Islands, just three hours north of Auckland on the northeast coast of the North Island, remains almost unspoiled. You’ll see more sheep than people.”