Hello all We have been to the coromandel peninsula where there is yet much nmore scenery to see. Its just north of rotorua in the jtting out bit on the map of new zealand. We basically drove up to there and stayed ina nd around coromadel town, stopping at various beaches including cathedral cove a huge limestone place and stingray bay. Coromandel town was a nice picturesque place. we then stopped in thames overnight and looked around there. We went to a gold mine, but it was shut!! because its winter!! We then went to see hannahs second cousin in a place called Ararimu I think. Its a nice house in the middle of the countryside and they have many dogs which are great fun and her husband is a great cook!! good food for once. We then ventured up north to kerikeri and paihia where we went on a bay of islands boat tour. We saw the hole in the rock and the dolphins which were awesome!!!!! we stayed in paihia for a night and then ventured up to cape reinga -the furthest place north in new zealand where the tasman sea meets the pacific ocean. apparently maori souls go here when they die. It was amazing to see this place because it was pretty rough sea with huge waves way out to sea. We then stayed Kaitaia for Cape Reinga and went onto a place called Waipu further south to get closer to the Kauri wod area. We went to a museum with a massive kauri wood exhibition. It was amazing and the gum they bleed was on display in many different shapes. This wood is over 30000-50000 years old and very precious. i even got some oin the many craft shops we went to. We are now in auckland for the final week of the trip tata