we tear down camp first thing and head over to the camp office to meet yet another merry Kiwi….it turns out that there is a flat road in and out of Waikawau Bay…the GPS betrayed us….we have options and an easy road out to Coromondel…..we can return if we wish or we can explore….after a rousing Coromondel Cafe bacon and egg pie, mussel chowder and a long black, we decide to push on towards Tauranga…..the road is spectacular and we stop at Random Beach for a private walk and shell gathering event…..further up the road we find Hot Water Beach….crazy place full of nutty people digging in the sand for hot springs…..we swim for a bit then head up to Cathedral Cove…..this is a great hike with a beautiful reward….we decide to stay in the neighbouring town, Hahei for the night and are lucky to find a nice pair of studios…..dinner is, you guessed it, fish and chips, chicken burgers, etc….sunset on Hahei Beach is brilliant, wifi sucks…..and, once again, sleep comes easy.....
birds eye view of the Coromondel Inlet....bacon and egg pie & mussel chowder....start your day a little bit better!
look, I found a pink one.....what did you find??
Cathy digging in the sand at Hot Water Beach trying to get to the hot springs......
the water temperatures get up to 64C.....you have to mix hot and cold water or else you get scalded....crazy Kiwi's!!
the hike to Cathedral Cove - vistas everywhere.....
the ladies pause to enjoy the beautiful views....
a little yellow bird stops to visit....
another view from the trail.....what a great walk!!
the cathedral at Cathedral Cove.....amen baby!
the passage to the south end.....
views from the south end.....
rocks in the cove area that have been worn by millions of years of oceanic activity......
happy hikers heading back to the car park.......
the north end of Hahei Harbour.....
another incredible Norfolk pine at Hahei Beach......
birds eye view of the Coromondel Inlet....bacon and egg pie & mussel chowder....start your day a little bit better!
crossing the range on the road to Hahei......
palm tree pose....it's really a giant fern.....
strolling up Random Beach - another private beach - for a shell hunt.......what fun!
can't resist the contrast of colours.....
Cathy digging in the sand at Hot Water Beach trying to get to the hot springs......
the hike to Cathedral Cove - vistas everywhere.....
the ladies pause to enjoy the beautiful views....
a little yellow bird stops to visit....
another view from the trail.....what a great walk!!
the cathedral at Cathedral Cove.....amen baby!
the passage to the south end.....
views from the south end.....
rocks in the cove area that have been worn by millions of years of oceanic activity......
the north end of Hahei Harbour.....
another incredible Norfolk pine at Hahei Beach......
Some amazing photos in there.. Great job Dad! Loving the Kiwi Christmas picture too... So people sit in scolding hot mud water?? I'd rather stroll around the massive rocks and beaches than burn my ass.. Seriously beautiful, I'm having my regrets. Miss you all!! Hohoho
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is I had no idea how beautiful NZ is. It should have been on my bucket list!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are wonderful. I love them and am glad that you are having so many adventures. We were sitting in the dark....no power the day you were on these beautiful beaches.