Another suitcase in another hall

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So we are back in New Zealand, after our entertaining diversion to Sydney. First stop was Aukland for just one night. We checked into a 'pod hotel', just to remind us of all those happy nights in the camper van! We had a great meal out with Juan, in an interesting little Spanish restaurant. He showed us parts of the city that are off the normal tourist route.

Aukland is far more diverse than other parts of the country, more a typical cosmopolitan capital (even though it isn't). One quarter of the entire country's population live in the city. It still manages though to retain all the friendliness and charm of small-town New Zealand.

And that's what we have more of now we have moved, for our final few days here, up onto the Coromandel peninsula. This is Auckland's playground. It is beautiful, with lovely rolling hills, some dramatic peaks, sweeping lakes, and some wide, white, unspoilt beaches. We have placed ourselves in what we like to call our 'batch', although in reality it is a little wooden house just a stones throw from Hot Water Beach. This is where you can dig a hole in the sand at low tide, and sit in a puddle warmed by sub-surface volcanic thermal activity. However we prefer another beach about an hour away, which we have almost to ourselves, even though it is huge. Others may warm their bottoms in nature's tepid sea water; but we are warming ours in the sun.

We have one more day here, basking in the sun, before we head off on the final leg of our odyssey, to Hong Kong.

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Comments

[Martin]

Little China Girl
It seems like you have both had a brilliant time, I can't believe how quickly it has gone. Give our love to Hong Kong. It's one of our favourite places. Take care and enjoy the rest of your trip.