We took a drive up the beautiful coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. We stayed the night in Coromandel. The next day we visited a local potter. He started constructing a railroad up the side of the mountain to get the clay and fire wood down to his studio. He expanded the railroad and it became a tourist attraction.
We continued around the east side of the coast and had a picnic at a beautiful spot along the Pacific Ocean. We ate fresh smoked mussels and scallops from a popular smokehouse in Coromandel.
On the east side of the Coromandel Peninsula, just south of a little town called Hahei there lies a thermal wonder. It's called Hot Water Beach. This is a beach with a thermal pocket underneath it. During low tide you can take your spade (shovel) out to the beach and dig a hot tub to sit in. We spent about a hour and a half enjoying our sandy hot tub until the ocean reclaimed our spot.
A few km north of Hahei is a beautiful hiking area. We took the trail along the coast and down to the ocean. Along the way we saw Gemstone Bay, had a picnic on the beach at Sting Ray Bay, and ended our hike at the ever so popular Cathedral Cove. This is an arch over the sand.
The next day we went for a hike at Wentworth Falls. Another beautiful waterfall. And Black Betty got a car wash on the way back:)
We are expanding our adventures over the "Big Ditch" (the Tasman Sea) to the biggest island in the world, Australia. For three weeks we will be exploring Australia where it will be warm and sunny! We will keep you posted as frequently as possible.
