Blog #8 East Coast of the Coromandel Peninsula

---

Blog #8 Hahei, Kayaking and Hot Water Beach – Saturday November 20th and Sunday November 21st -
On Saturday November 20th we took the “309 Road” across the Coromandel Peninsula, stopping to climb a waterfall (Emily), and walk through some groves of large Kauri trees (all 3 of us), and of course, to picnic. We explored a theme park called “Waterworks” which was full of amazing moving contraptions made of reycled material, most of which depended on moving water to function, all of which were fun. Check out Emily and Carole on the flying bicycles! We also visited a honey farm. When we arrived in Hahei we decided to SPLURGE on a gorgeous 2 bedroom unit at Tatahi Lodge, practically all glass walls. This was very uptown. It must have inspired Carole because she won a couple of hands of “9-5-2”, but then (perhaps since she was winning?) we decided to finish the game later….still haven’t….

Saturday night it began to rain steadily – our first rain other than the odd shower - and it continued all Sunday morning. We had a lovely morning dawdling over coffee, reading books, looking out at the rain swept shrubbery and listening to the birds whose singing was undeterred by the weather. Then, in an instant, the sky cleared and we headed out for an afternoon with Cathedral Cove Sea Kayaking. This was very fun, and another example of the benefit of being very early in the season. We had a small group of only 4 double kayaks and a guide, and after watching us paddle parallel to the shore for the first 10 minutes he took us out to circumnavigate some islands farther out in the bay. Then we visited an idyllic spot called ‘Cathedral Cove where he prepared lattes and mochas while we explored the shoreline and those who wished to swam. We spotted gannets, shags, blue penguins, black backed gulls, and numerous other shore birds I couldn’t identify. We also saw stingrays and of course, fish.

After a delicious barbecue supper, we all napped in order to be ready for the NEXT adventure. We were staying about 10 minutes drive from a ‘Hot Water Beach’ a place where the geo thermally heated water is so close to the surface that it oozes up through the sand. Two hours before and after low tide, the stretch of sand with these hot water access points is revealed. Low tide was going to be at 1:30 AM. So, around midnight, and under an amazingly beautiful full moon we went to Hot Water Beach. The idea is that as the tide is going out, you dig holes in the sand, let them fill up with the hot water, and then sit in one's own self excavated hot tub! Only problem - TOO hot....one trick is to dig a channel that still reaches the incoming waves so you get additional cold water with each wave.....but since the tide was going out, after a while our cold water source was too far away. And we kept burning our butts when a new jet of hot water would spurt up from underneath. Not overall a relaxing experience, but a ton of fun, and very magical under the full moon. The pictures simply do NOT do it justice.

The next morning we were up, and though loath to leave such a fabulous accomodation and beach, it was time to leave the Coromandel and head to Rotorua.

---

Comments

[Kate Dawson]

Hot Bots!
Yes the pics look like you are having fun in the hot water but I also liked the flying bicycles. The fords and stone walls and left hand driving are all very familiar to me but it's the birds and the flowers and NZ history that will bring us to the islands one day. Thanks for your insight and it's fun to keep in touch this way. It's -25C in Riverdale so it could be colder higher up. I'm off to collect Stuart from the airport for a 12:30 (midnight) arrival and you have kept me well entertained. Love Kate

[Rachel M]

Looks like fun
Those bikes sure look entertaining, followed by coffee and hot-tubs on the beach. Sounds like you are having a wonderful time - and probably aren't missing the endless Yukon snowfall. It's fin reading your blog and living vicariously through your adventures!