Coromandel Penninsula

Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Tairua, North Island, New Zealand
 
 
Tues Dec 17
  Today we drove from Devonport to Tairua which is on the Coromandel Penninsula. After checking into our lodging, we crossed the street and had mussels and fish and chips at Pepe for lunch among the dive-bombing seagulls. We headed back across the street and played in tidal flats. Ty and I played on a small island as the tide rushed in and made bets about how long it would take for our island to flood and which part of the island would last the longest. The tide flooded our island in 10 minutes.

 
 
  That afternoon we hiked up Paku Hill, the highest pinnacle-like hill in the area. The hike was a little bit of a scramble and the view was stunning. On the way home, we stopped at the beach and went for a chilly ocean swim. It was shockingly cold. Finn and I screamed in pain and shock every time we went into the water. We could only last for a minute or so. Ty zoomed around on the beach and we all had good fun. Also en route home was a fun Kiwi playground with crazy equipment. One device spun you around in an elliptical pattern that was quite crazy. You would never see any of these devices in an American playground -- too much fun and too much liability. Boo.



  We had a mellow dinner in the BBQ area across from our room and ended the evening with some more play in the tidal flats. Tomorrow we are off to Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach.



Wed Dec 18
  I had a lovely morning jog along the tidal beach, out to the surf beach and turn around at the the end of the peninsula. Wonderful views along the whole way and a lovely, quaint town.

 
 
  Today was the big day out with the hike to Cathedral Cove. The boys did great and the trail was a little busy. Cathedral Cove was quite pretty, but busy with hikers and kayak tours. There were great views at the Cove and along the way.


 
   We had a yummy lunch in Hahei and then headed off to Hot Water Beach. Fun times at Hot Water Beach. Very hot. Great waves for Finn to surf. Fun to warm up in hot pool between wave surfing. Too close to the ocean and the water is too hot. If too far from the ocean, then too cold. 

Good afternoon doing laundry and shopping for food and recharge. On to Taupo tomorrow. 





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