Coromandel Peninsula

Making our way up the peninsula, our first stop was at Hot Water Beach. If you never get there, do not worry you haven't missed anything. It is, however, a big deal here. For two hours on either side of the low tide, people dig holes into the sand and lay in the hot water that comes up from below. It is a pretty bizarre sight and I didn't find the water all that hot. Probably because the tide was starting to come up and that cools the waters. We didn't dig. We just walked around took a few stupid tourist pictures, shook our heads and left. 

From there it was on to Cathedral Cove. Of course, there was a hike involved. You are not in New Zealand if you are not hiking somewhere - and be assured it is always UP! We packed very stale cheese, crackers, and whatever else we had left over, our bathing suits and my sarong - we didn't have a towel and headed down the trail. Cathedral Cove is absolutely beautiful and since the hike down is long there are not a lot of folks crowding the beach. We swam for a while, ate, washed in the natural fresh waterfall and after resting a bit hiked back up to the car park. It was a truly beautiful afternoon and it was good to be in the ocean once more.

We had made a reservation with a B&B last night that was on an alpaca farm somewhere along the highway. We were very happy campers leaving the beach and we chatted and didn't pay too much attention to where we were. When we got to the town of Whitianga, we decided to go into the center and see what's what. We reached the library and lo and behold free wifi. Dashed in to quickly post a new blog. It was getting on to about 5pm and we asked about where this b&b might be. Everyone thought it was way back from where we came. We left the library and continued down the highway. After realizing that we might have actually missed the place, we called up. Yes indeed the lodge was way back not too far from where we left the beach. Not wanting to go backward, we decided to go ahead and look for other accommodations for the night. Things started to get a bit testy in the car. It was getting late and we were sunburned and tired. Geoff stopped the car and right in front of us was a B&B sign with a big vacancy sign. We said Ok let's try it. The place didn't look much from the front but when we finally got inside it was absolutely beautiful. Right on the beach with this enormous picture window overlooking the sea. Diana came out, said she had a room. Naturally, it was way more than we were going to pay at the other place. After a very quick negotiation to our advantage, she said "What the hell" and "tea" was served with lots of baked goodies. She told us all about Simpson's Beach and that this was Cook's first landing on NZ. We have a beautiful king room with an ensuite. Way nicer than the original place was going to be and much closer to town. After showering, we went down by the waterfront for dinner. Ordered the special at Squids and was terribly disappointed. Fish was way too done and the oysters tasted like they were old. We didn't eat anything and left - playing the ugly American card. We were not going to pay good money for inedible food just to be polite. We walked down the street and decided on the local pizza place. Great food and wine, sat and talked with a couple from South Carolina. So far I think we are having the best vacation of anyone we have talked with!!

Got back to our lovely B&B and were invited downstairs where we met Gordon, Diana's husband. Instead of the usual "tea" we have been getting, they offered drinks. I had another glass of wine and G had some soda. Gordon is a hoot. He is a NZ marriage celebrant, which is like a justice of the peace. Lots of stories there. When we came up to our room, we found homemade chocolates by the bed and I think we might get a hot meal for breakfast tomorrow. They also said we can have use of their kayaks. Now all we have to do is hope the weather is nice. Looks like we lucked out again. Pleasant dreams...

Next time.... Going to Thames