The weather was 'iffy' all the way to Auckland. The rain that the farmers desperately need so we daren't complain. Auckland is rather impressive - covers about 500 square kilometres and has the highest number of boats / yachts per capita in the world apparently. So many marina's and little harbours. We climbed Mount Eden (a volcano where you can see down the crater) for a view of the whole city - it's big! Found a stunning campsite for the night in Takapuna whi...

Arrive in Thames and looks like there will be Guiness to be had aplenty for St. Patrick's Day as this area was originally occupied by the Irish. We drive to Cathedral Cove which is a magnificent rock arch formation on the beach a-la-Hole in the Wall. Then we drive the scenic coastal route to Thames via Coromandel Town. This area is completely time-warped and the buildings are from the gold mining and kourie resin mining era. Lots of old style hotels. The coastal ...

Arrive in Thames and looks like there will be Guiness to be had aplenty for St. Patrick's Day as this area was originally occupied by the Irish. We drive to Cathedral Cove which is a magnificent rock arch formation on the beach a-la-Hole in the Wall. Then we drive the scenic coastal route to Thames via Coromandel Town. This area is completely time-warped and the buildings are from the gold mining and kourie resin mining era. Lots of old style hotels. The coastal ...