A long and winding road - to the Coromandel

Last Friday morning we had our final breakfast feast at a beautifully set table with Hyacinth (Ann) and Richard (Sandy), this time there were just the 4 of us and our hosts, so they joined us. A very stimulating conversation took place for an hour or so around the table post consumption of our lovely breakfast. It is a long story, but I came out of there not only being confused on what day it was, and where was I, but also where was I born, and what was my nationality!!!!. As I say - a most spirited conversation, but you had to be there! Joking aside, I have never experienced such generosity at any other B & B in the world which was shown to us by Ann and Sandy. Sandy's home made jams and stewed fruit from his orchard are delicious. They also supplied gluten free chocolate cake for Margaret, a bottle of excellent NZ wine every night for our cottage, chocolates, fruit, soft drink etc. They also offer free laundry service and internet. Quite a unique experience in every way. And of course their was Sandy's lovely smoked trout at 5 pm on their deck on our arrival served with some very nice NZ white wine.

I took the opportunity of a photo break during this enlightening conversation!

The boys packing up the car for our trip to the Coromandel via Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui Beach

We stopped for coffee and cake at a lovely little town - Waihi - apparently the 3rd largest producing gold mine in the world - still! After a long and winding road to Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel, we arrive at our lovely little bach (holiday home).

View of Hot Water Beach from our Bach

Hot Water Beach is famous for its thermal springs 2 hours each side of low tide twice a day and people come from all over with their spades to dig their holes in the sand and relax in their own beach spa.

You can see in the photo below they are starting to line up in the area where this phenonema occurs.

Now it's time to relax and consume a barbequed steak and salad with a view.

Hahei Beach - next door to Hot Water Beach.

Saturday morning called for a trip to Whitianga to take a "boat trip" along the Coramandel Coastline to Cathedral Cove and a few other highlights. Now originally the plan was a sort of largish craft - you know one that would take about 30 people, but that was not available, however there was one that took 9 people. All 4 of us agreed that this would be okay. Here she is (below) - basically a large rubber duckie - and her claim to fame was she was used during the America's Cup in Auckland, and her skipper Dan was a delightful young man.

Wot Kev - this is our cruise boat??? It's okay Sis - just relax like me! Capt'n Dan just a little closer to land please! Okay - relaxing!

Cathedral Cove

That speck of a man on this rock below is our photographer - Hamish, he boarded our cruise boat here and finished the trip with us, disembarking every now and then at different points.

It's fun up the front! Well it was! Hamish wishing to reboard the M.V. Rubber Duckie - again! Think we may be entering this cave.

From within our cave We gave entry to the caves below a big miss!

Swimmers and kayakers around the cove

This Rock looked just like a huge pot plant!

Okay folks - that's the end of Capt'n Dan's tour on the M.V. Sea Cave

(Below) The Fireplace Restaurant in Whitianga - had the best pork spare ribs here after our"cruise" along the Coromandel coast.

Time to join the crowds for our test of these thermal springs - hot, hot, hot on the soles of your feet!!

More stunning beaches on the Coromandel

Marg in the grounds of a wonderful art and jewellery shop, a hop, skip and a jump from our bach - some purchases were made here.

(Sunday) Kevin contemplates the view!

Our last supper - delicious, (Col and Den's recipe for barbequed chicken)

Marg and Kev take their last stroll on Hot Water Beach Monday Morning at Auckland Airport after a 5 am start and 3 hour drive from the Coromandel - we say farewell to Kev and Marg - they fly back to Manchester, England, on Air Singapore at midday. We all agreed it has been a wonderful holiday, we have done so much, and seen some fabulous places - weather was perfect for 90 percent of the time, and the hospitality in both Oz and NZ was superb 100 percent of the time. Thanks to everyone.

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After leaving Margaret and Kevin we swapped cars to take the ferry across to Waiheke Island for a couple of days, before descending on Frank's youngest son, Ian, and his wife Sarah, and children Ethan (3) and Immy (1) for 5 nights in Auckland, and a Wiggles concert.