Hahei Beach to Rotorua

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Yay, the clouds are lifting and the sun is making its appearance. Samuel really wanted to play in the sea again before moving on, so Elizabeth and Neil decided to join him. The three of them had fun in the waves, while I had fun keeping dry and doing the watching. It was beautiful to relax on the beach and enjoy the views, while listening to the song of the Tui.

We checked out of the campsite and went on to where the walk to Cathedral Cove starts. The great thing about travelling here at this time of year is that it is not busy. We found a campervan park easily. It would be hard to do in summer time! The walk through the forested trail was mostly pleasant except for some super muddy patches. The Cathedral Cove down at the bottom of the trail was just spectacular! To do this walk you have to time it with the tides. Low tide is the only time you can access this beach area. While down at the beach, Samuel was examining everything he came across. Unfortunately for him (and for us) he picked up a jellyfish and got stung! Boy did he scream! Neil was able to get most of the sting out, but that didn’t stop it from hurting. Samuel continued howling nearly all the way back to the van. We were given many strange looks by people passing us going the other way, until we said “jellyfish sting”.

We have been enjoying the perks of a campervan! It is great to just get back to your vehicle, and be able to pull your lunch foods out from the fridge and cupboards, and put them straight on the table. Then sit and eat in comfort without having to go anywhere else. Also, major perk no. 2, is to always have a toilet available!

After Cathedral Cove, we drove onto Rotorua, doing some stops along the way. We stopped at one spot to admire twin kauri trees. The diameter of their trunks is exceptional! We stopped in Tairua and enjoyed some kiwiana… hokey pokey candy and L & P! Tairua is a beautiful little coastal town. We sat by the estuary and playground where the E & S enjoyed themselves, and Neil and I soaked up the view and fantasized about living there. From there we continued on to Rotorua, admiring the huge L & P bottle as we passed through Paeroa. For those not from NZ, L & P is a NZ only pop, that originated in Paeroa. L & P stands for Lemon & Paeroa. Spring water from Paeroa was used to make this drink. We checked in at our Rotorua campgrounds and made our booking for the Tamaki … We only had half an hour until our bus picked us up, and we had all the campervan chores still to do (waste to empty and water to fill up). It was rush, rush, rush but we were all ready on time. The show was very interactive and lots of fun. Neil was selected as the Chief of our tribe (all the people on our bus) and had an important role to play. He had to greet the Chief of the Tamaki tribe with a hongi during the opening ceremony and he had to lead us into the village. Inside the village, Neil and Samuel learned how to do a haka, while Elizabeth and I learned how to use poi. Neil, Elizabeth and Samuel all had to do a stepping race over what looked like ladders lying on the ground. This was something Maori warriors did as part of their training to fight. Elizabeth and Samuel also took part in a game with sticks where they had to follow instructions in Maori to go right or left and catch the stick before it fell; a game used to improve their reflex skills. After making our way through the Maori village, we watched a Maori performance involving singing, dancing, haka, poi, and sticks. By the time we got to enjoy the Maori hangi, we were all starving! There was lamb, chicken, mussels, fish, potatoes, carrots, kumara, salads, and bread. Desserts were pavlova, peaches, steam pudding, cream and custard. There was also tea, milo, and coffee… please note the coffee was instant! Only in a NZ tourist destination!! By the time we got back to the campsite, it was after 11pm. Samuel fell asleep on the way back. I couldn’t wait to get into bed! I was exhausted.

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Photos

Hahei Beach
Elizabeth trying to update blog.

Hahei Beach
Enjoying the surf

Hahei Beach
Beach at campsite.

Whitianga
Visiting Cathedral Cove.

Whitianga
In the Punga grove on the walk to Cathedral Coves.

Whitianga
Cathedral Cove

Whitianga
Cathedral Coves

On the road to Rotorua
Kauri trees

Tairua
Kiwiana - L&P and hokey pokey candy

Tairua
Elizabeth in the estuary at Tairua

Rotorua
Learning the Haka

Rotorua
Tamaki Maori Village