Russell
At the end of the cruise we chose to be let off at the historic town of Russell, across the Bay from
Pahia and a 15 minute trip by ferry that runs until nearly midnight.
Russell's history goes back to the whaling days when,
apparently, it was described as "Hell-hole of the Pacific." Just after the
signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, it was known as Kororareka and
for nine months in 1841 Russell (Kororareka) was New Zealand's capital. The
government was transferred to Auckland later the same year. (Wellington became
the capital in 1865.)
Today Russell is a quiet point of debarkation for large
cruise ships seeking a place to buy local art and to soak up some local scenery.
We strolled quietly along the few streets in town, window shopped, and had
dinner at the Duke of Marlborough
Hotel which holds New Zealand's oldest liquor license.
As it grew dark, we took the ferry back to Pahia where
went almost immediately to sleep. Too much fresh air this day.
