14th Jan 2012

Our drive down from the Northlands was another long one but the scenery made it interesting and enjoyable.On reaching the Coromandel Region we drove up the west coast on the coastal road passing through numerous towns and bays until we arrived at Coromandel Town.We pulled into a campsite and walked into the town for a well deserved beer and a glass of wine!

After two beers and two wines (one more than anticipated) we decided that we would eat out and treat ourselves to a decent meal to reward our driving before crashing in the camper.A little bit naughty but hey ho!

The next morning we set off stopping for a bowl of cereal on the coast en route to Fletcher Bay at the tip of the Coromandel Region.Getting there was not easy as the last 20 to 30km were on a gravel road meandering around the coast line - that made Anna's toes curl with some interesting noises being made.After I stopped to get the tripod out to take some pictures Anna hopped into the driving seat to take over!I was a little worried seeing that the last time she drove it took her a while to figure out how to turn the engine on and put it in drive to go - I mean it is an automatic how hard can it get!

On arrival at Fletcher bay we walked the coastal path in the sunshine seeing some wonderful colours in the sea before our walk was rudely halted by a cow on the path!Anna had a bit of a wobble as the cow gave her a 'funny look' and we had to turn back.She started telling me about this woman in the UK who had been trampled to death by a cow.There's me worrying about crocodiles and spiders - I now have to look out for cows too!Moo!!

After finishing our walk and checking out the black sandy beach in Fletcher Bay we made our way back to Coromandel Town where we headed towards the east coast and our next stop, hot water beach.

En route to hot water beach we took the legendary 309 road which took us through the mountains, again on a gravel road, where we stopped to see Waiau falls.After a small bush walk to get there we stood and admired the falls!

On arrival at hot water beach we parked up Colin and headed down to the beach with a spade we had just hired.Once on the beach we joined the hundreds of people digging holes to create their very own hot water pool.This particular section of the beach has hot water rising from the bed rocks below - something volcanic, not exactly sure what so won't pretend to know!

Anna started off digging her hole while I tip-toed around burning my feet!It was bloody hot!After a while I sorted myself out and we sat for a while in our hot water hole, sorry spa, until it got cold and the tide started coming in.

The following day we headed to Hahei beach (where they filmed one of the Narnia movies) to have a lie on the beach and a little relax.I decide to go in for a dip and to my shock the sea was very cold!I thought 'this is not like in Fiji' so I quickly tried to act cool by having a quick swim before joining Anna back on the beach for a warm!J

By midday it started to rain so we headed south to Waihi where we had a spot of lunch and visited the local open cast gold mine in the high street.Our aim today was to reach Rotorua but we stopped at Mt.Maunganui near Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty and walked to the summit!Great views from the top, well worth the tough climb!

We are now in Rotorua where we look forward to some volcanic experiences over the next few days.We have already experienced the stench of sulphur which I had to admit made me think if I had chuffed without realising and proceeded to asked / blame Anna as well before concluding it was the sulphur!Haha!!

Volcanic action to come!Anna will be doing the next blog as I'm worn out!Catch ya later!Xxx