Well am now in Coromandel Town itself having had an overnight further south of the penisular at Whitianga.

My last day in Rotorura, followed a night out at the Lava Bar were I learnt the hard way that flipflops and people in high heels is a lethal combination:-( my poor feet! haha, but it didn't stop me completing the walking tour of Rotorura which started at the Rotorura museum in the Government gardens. The museum had previously been the thermal bath house of Rotorura where the waters had been used by injured soldiers during the wars. It now houses sone of the remains of those baths as well as stories about Rotorura's own history including the huge volcanic eruption that transformed the area! After wandering the governement gardens walked down to Lake Rotorura itself and then onto Ohinemutu the lakeside Maori village with a touch of European influence. Meet a Maori guy who lives there and showed me around the meeting house, church and war memorial. Then browsed the local Maori shop and got myself a small carving made in the village! After the village headed further on to Kuirau Park where saw more natural steaming and bubbling pools before having enough sulphur for one day made my way back to the hostel. That night saw Nowhere Boy, the story of John Lennon's early years, at the basement cinema, with it's 10 seats haha.

On Monday I made my way to Whitianga on the Coromandel Penisular. The bus seemed to take forever as had to change 4 times before eventually reaching Whitianga. First stop was Cambridge a small very English town then was onto Tuaranaga, where am going back to, before stopping at Paeroa, where the "World Famous in New Zealand" drink Lemon & Paeroa is made, so naturally had a try and it was pretty refreshing, no Irn-Bru though haha. Whitianga was really nice and found a hostel right on the beach with views out across the bay. Hostel was realy quiet only 5 of us in the whole place.

Today I arrived in Coromandel Town after the hours drive from Whitianga. It's a very quaint little town with craft shops and nice little cafes but not a lot else. So as the sun was shining went on a scenic walk to the Pa viewpoint and then onto McGregor Bay before returning to the town itself. As well as taking in the Bay with it's muddy sand yuck!!! It also took in the Coromandel Wharf as well as where some of the gold mines used to be, so was really nice!

Am heading back to Whitianga tomorrow for a couple of nights so as get to visitCools Bay, Catherdral Cove a well as Hot Water Beach!

xxxxx