Today we left Auckland and set out for the rest of our journey, zig-zagging across the north island to finally settle and leave from Wellington. We loaded the Nissan, which was a feat in itself, and headed northeast to the Coromandel peninsula, which was a series of long and winding, cliff-side roads, that ended on a perfect beach. Here we found comfort in a small beachfront home/hostel, in the tiny town of Hahei Beach. Our hosts are exceptional, and have provided us with everything we need for a comfortable stay.
The beach at Hahei is absolutely serene and breathtaking, and we spent a large chunk of the afternoon soaking in the sun. One of the highlights on the Coromandel is Hot Water Beach. At Hot Water Beach, two hours before and after the low tide, you can find warm patches in the sand. If you dig small holes in the sand, very hot water from volcanic activity many meters under the surface rises and fills the pool. The beach is quite the commodity, and was swarming with families and tourists. And it's not as easy as you would think to find the hot pools in the limited area. Shovel in tow, we dug several holes to discover nothing, and finally struck it hot. The novelty wore off quickly, and we relaxed on the quieter side of the beach for the rest of the evening. Completely worn out from the driving and beaching, we snuggled in the lounge of the home we were staying at, zoning out to the television with milkshakes!
A quick afternoon snack of NZ Girl Scout cookies (can't compare to Thin Mints though...)
Searching for hot pools!
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