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 drive is very scenic, as good as it gets and the mountain passes are spectacular. Tonight we eat the leftover spag bols and give the Guiness search a miss, maybe another day.

Tomorrow sees us head off to the big smoke - Auckland mate!