We spent some administrative time in Auckland, then drove west to Muriwai Beach, where we tented for the night and then walked over the dunes to see the wild Tasman coast again, the waves, the fisherpersons, the surfers, and the gannetts...New Zealand is such an incredible place....all this is just an hour west of the metropolis of Auckland...
...recounts the retirement travels of Mark and Vicki Sherouse since 2008...in Asia and the Pacific, New Zealand, Europe, South America, and Africa, as well as the US and Canada. Our website, with much practical information, is: https://sites.google.com/site/theroadgoeseveron/.Contact us at mark.sherouse@gmail.com or vsherouse@gmail.com.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Waikato Beach
Sunday, March 23, 2014
"This Was Once The Great Watchtower Of Amon Sul"
Determined Ringwaifs we are. After tenting in a sub-standard DOC campground, complete with feral fowl, we drove past Thames, back west to the Tasman coast, looking for the great watchtower of Amon Sul. It took a bit of driving and navigating, but we found it.
There it is |
Closer up |
Oops, I forgot to add the CG |
There were plenty of other interesting formations in the area (Port Waikato) |
Thus |
Hot Water Beach, Coromandel
Only a few miles away from Cathedral Cove is Hot Water Beach, a place that is both quintessentially and uniquely Kiwi. A thermal vent heats water that then bubbles up into the sand at low tide. You dig a properly located hole in the beach's gray sand, and, voila! your own hot tub! The tubs, so to speak, can be any size, just solo, or several of your friends. The trick is proper location. The hot water is really hot, scalding hot, so you want to be adjacent to the vent area--there were only two the afternoon we were there--close enough to get some heat, but not close enough to get burnt. Too far away and you're just sitting in beach water and sand. Ick. Further, you need to construct your tub so that it can withstand errant incoming waves. We saw many fine tubs breached and demolished by the waves. Then you have to dig a new one. (Local vendors rent little spades). Further, understand you are not the only person there. You are one of hundreds, even on a week-day in the off-season. It's quintessentially Kiwi, and the population center of the nation is just a couple hours away. See illustrations.
Hot Water Beach, an hour before low tide, on a slow day |
The first people there, I suppose, have to dig several trial holes to find the right spots |
While Vicki looked for a spot, I documented the event |
One of the hot streams; notice no one is standing in it; nearly boiling I would guess |
Closer up |
A perfect specimen...but on closer examination, you see the steam and bubbles rising and notice no one is within even six feet of this hole |
We nosed around for a while; a nice man from Worcestershire offered to share his tub (he'd been to Yellowstone) but before we could say thanks, an errant wave destroyed his creation. We noticed further that there were no beach showers nearby, that one gets really covered in grey sand and muck doing this, that the prospect of getting scalded was significant, that fighting the waves and tides was pretty futile, and, most importantly, that we had neglected to wear swimsuits and bring a shovel. We also remembered that we had spent the past two evenings soaking in crystal clear and clean thermal waters, without risk nor toil nor degradation, and maybe that was good enough. We took our pictures and proceeded on.
Cathedral Cove, Coromandel
When we did the North Island in 2008, we skipped the Coromandel peninsula entirely. Too many other things to see and a boat to catch for South Island and reservations for the Abel Tasman tramp. We have a bit more time now and so wanted to make sure we saw what is one of the North Island's premier destinations, and especially its Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach.
Islands all over the Pacific coast here |
Thus |
And thus; bird sanctuaries, many of them, all in a marine reserve |
The big arch at Cathedral Cove; we never did find the cathedral; maybe it's only a high-tide cathedral |
Cave in the arch |
A flotilla of kayaks approaches, and I am thinking Abel Tasman definitely has a rival here, plus it's warm and sunny and the water is nearly warm and there are no sand flies... |
The larger beach beyond the arch |
Fun in the sun |
Sun worshipper; I bet she was taking a picture of a topless guy |
Very neat place |
Tauranga And Mt. Maunganui
We proceeded on, to Tauranga, on the Bay of Plenty, where we found one of our best campsites yet, Fernland Spa. A mineral, thermal-type spa, not really a campground at all, but which permits tenters and RVs, with the usual amenities. We pretty much had the place to ourselves. Next day we went into Tauranga and then spent the afternoon at the beach at Mt. Maunganui. And then went back for another night at the spa.
The big pool at Fernland Spa; 40 degrees centigrade, all natural |
The private rooms; big enough to swim laps; $7 per 30 minutes for us seniors |
Mt. Maunganui Beach |
Up closer |
Natural habitat for this species |
Mt. Maunganui itself |
More beach, islands, Bay of Plenty |
Other side of the little 3-block wide peninsula: harbor of plenty |
Our site at the beautifully-landscaped Fernland Spa |
Only problem was, the dew was so heavy it literally poured off our tent fly |
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