Whangamata

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21st - 22nd December 2008 Whangamata

The beach at Whangamata looked lovely as we drove in, but it was a bit cold and we didn't fancy shivering in the surf - it's okay for those who have wetsuits (pansies!). We decided to camp on the DOC site which was a few kms out of town, set in beautiful forest and hills with a river running through. We went for a walk up to a very tall waterfall and climbed to the top of it.. As usual, I'm crap with heights and couldn't look over the edge. Rob, of course, has no fear. He got me to paddle at the top, which is good for me, and then we walked back down, following the river. Near the end of the walk we found a great swimming hole in the river and both jumped in It was fantasic - no-one else around, just surrounded by stunning scenery. This is what it's all about out here.

The site might have been great (hot showers which is unusual for a DOC site), but the toilets were something else. Now, I can handle 'longdrop' loos, but these ones had a kind of bar which went across the loo part way down and stopped some of the unmentionables from taking their 'longdrop'. Things that you really don't want perched just below you, if you get my meaning! I wish the pictures had smelly-vision! You had to hold you breath, try not to look, and get out as soon as you possibly could. We never found out why they had this bar - let's hope it's not a usual thing out here!

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