New Zealand - Auckland to Hahei
Auckland
to Hahei
Day 8 - December 19th 2008
We headed south east from Auckland to check out the Coromandel Peninsula on the east coast. We heard from fellow travelers and locals alike that is was beautiful, and like most of coastal New Zealand, it was. We spent the night at a motor lodge near “Cathedral Cove” in the small town of Hahei. Cathedral Cove is a gorgeous beach with jagged cliffs and sea caves you can check out at low tide. At camp we had a friendly visitor, a New Zealand Song Thrush, who decided to join us for a few minutes! Yippie!!
Song Thrush
Hanging out at camp the weather was a tad chilly so instead of checking out Cathedral Cove that evening, we went to a thermal area called “Hot Water Beach” where hot springs meet the ocean and at low tide people swarm the beach and dig holes to reach the hot water and soak. It is a complete chaotic spectacle to watch and just as fun to be a part of! We brought our tiny camp shovel and the locals had these huge shovels to dig the best holes with; a nice lady let us use her hefty shovel so we could dig a decent hole. A few times we had to shuffle around like seals because the water was too hot; good times!
Hot Water Beach
(Photo courtesy of Benn Glazier) Thanks again Benn!
Cheers!
Jenn
Day 8 - December 19th 2008
We headed south east from Auckland to check out the Coromandel Peninsula on the east coast. We heard from fellow travelers and locals alike that is was beautiful, and like most of coastal New Zealand, it was. We spent the night at a motor lodge near “Cathedral Cove” in the small town of Hahei. Cathedral Cove is a gorgeous beach with jagged cliffs and sea caves you can check out at low tide. At camp we had a friendly visitor, a New Zealand Song Thrush, who decided to join us for a few minutes! Yippie!!
Song Thrush
Hanging out at camp the weather was a tad chilly so instead of checking out Cathedral Cove that evening, we went to a thermal area called “Hot Water Beach” where hot springs meet the ocean and at low tide people swarm the beach and dig holes to reach the hot water and soak. It is a complete chaotic spectacle to watch and just as fun to be a part of! We brought our tiny camp shovel and the locals had these huge shovels to dig the best holes with; a nice lady let us use her hefty shovel so we could dig a decent hole. A few times we had to shuffle around like seals because the water was too hot; good times!
Hot Water Beach
(Photo courtesy of Benn Glazier) Thanks again Benn!
Cheers!
Jenn