We decided to go away the first weekend he was here to the Coromandel. The Coromandel Peninsular is basically about 55km east of Auckland and extends 80km north of the Bay of Plenty, its 40km at its widest point and mostly covered in subtropical rainforests - and here's the best part - beautiful beaches!!!
We headed out on a beautiful Saturday morning and took a leisurely drive down there, with our first stop on route (after the obligatory coffee stop - obviously not for me!) being Hot Water Beach!
Hot Water Beach - before the mayhem starts!!
Look who discovered a danger sign!!
Low tide!
At Hot Water Beach (the clue is in the name!) within two hours of high tide it's possible to dig trenches in the sand and allow the natural hot water springs to come to the surface to create your own spa! Because of the limited time period in which this can be done, this naturally creates a very busy beach with lots of frantic activity as you desperately try and dig your trenches before the next wave comes to crash over them and destroy all your hard work. It does mean that there is a lot of camaraderie between strangers though as everyone seems to end up just building one long trench and jumping in! Word of warning though - the water does get VERY hot - they reckon up to 147 degrees farenheit!! So it is more than possible to burn your bottom, as we discovered!! It's actually quite nice to have the waves crashing in on to of you because it cools it down slightly!
Trying to beat the tide!
Relaxation at last!
We then stopped for a yummy lunch before heading to Whitianga, to have a little look round and buy provisions for our bach.
Josh - acting natural!
We hired at the last minute what turned out to be the most gorgeous cottage (well done Shianne!) and only a fraction more in price than the campsite! It was situated in the grounds of a farm and you could even wander down to look at the pet pig, on your way to the water hole, which according to Josh - the only one brave/stupid (delete as applicable!) enough to venture in!
The next day we went to Cathedral Cove. The region is a marine reserve and Cathedral Cove named for the big cave/arch that links one beach to another. If anyone has seen the Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian film - its the cave and beach that they use to re-enter Narnia! Fascinating eh!!
It is probably the most beautiful beach I've been to in Nz and well worth the 30 min walk there. It's just like being in Sardinia, without all the Italians, and definitely gives Spiaggi del Principe a run for its money! The pictures pretty much say it all!
Err - bring back the Italians!!
Kz found the Genie of the Rock!
That's better!!
We finally dragged ourselves away for a late lunch, where Jz and Shi finally got their green mussels and oysters, before making the journey back to Auckland, having definitely decided that the Coromandel was worth another visit before we come back to England!!
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