Coromandel Peninsula

On the weekend, Toby and I decided to tame the mighty Coromandel Peninsula, this was only really decided as we were driving south towards Hamilton (www..thepeninsula.co.nz). The trip started in Thames for breakfast, and as we ventured further down the track, we came across numerous small settlements built between the base of the Coromandel Ranges and the road which hugged the coastal rocks. Once we reached the town of Coromandel, lunch and mini golf were on the cards, before setting off towards Port Jackson, the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula. What we didn't know was there was a mountain bike race on and we had to share the gravel road with hundreds of mountain bikers cycling towards us, watching every bend and hill, with the odd ambulance racing towards us. AND I can guarantee that the slow painful trip out there was worth every bit of it. The coastal scenery was absolutely beautiful. So peaceful and tranquil with a smooth ocean and rugged coastal cliffs. So after an hour or so we reached Port Jackson to find out that it was a camping spot and there is nothing there, and turned around and headed to Whitianga for the night (www.whitianga.co.nz). To get from the Coromandel side (West Side) of the Peninsula to the Whitianga side of the Peninsula (East Side) we had to drive over the ranges which provides great views of both coasts. Once in Whitianga we looked for accommodation only to find NIL. Yes there was seven weddings on that night and all accommodation was gone, so the night had to be spent in a beach side car park in the car. So like the troopers we are, had a few beers in the car before getting dressed in the car park and a pommie shower and headed to the pub for a nights session. So once again meeting some nice backpackers, and walking home, only to be disturbed by one annoying local. It just wouldn't have worked anyway in the car. After a late night and an early morning swim, we headed off (not feeling the best from sleeping in the back of the car) to a couple of tourist spots, like the Hot Water Beach and Catherdral Cove. Catherdral Cove is basically a hole in a rock with a beach either side, a 45 min walk will get you to it but it well worth the walk with the great scenery you get once down there and a great beach to have a swim in as well. After the Cove we drove to the Hot Water Beach, which is a normal surf beach with two natural hot water geyers underneath the sand, which get to approximately 65 degrees. The place is only really worth visiting at low tide as that is when you can dig a hole in the sand and appreciate the hot water, by creating your own natural spa on the beach. It was really funny to see a load of people with shovels digging small spas in the sand. I experienced the hot water beach by digging my feet into the sand and having the hot water soak my feet and the cold ocean splash my legs, a really bizarre feeling. After the hot water beach experience it was time to leave and head for home. The traveling for the weekend may have finished but I had to get back to Auckland so that I could pack for Tauranga and head off monday morning to start in the GHD Tauranga Office. Tauranga is located approximately 200km South East of Auckland on the coast and contains about 100,000 people.