We decided to try to get to the Coromandel Peninsula. This weekend is the national celebration of the Treaty of Waitangi. I didn't know this when I booked the place in Paihia. As we left, things were hotting up with Maori tribes arriving and lots of celebration planning. It's a long drive - we thought that we would do about 2.5 hours each. As it turned out, K did about four, and I did the rest.
We passed Hot Water Beach on the way, and the conditions were just right - so we spent about an hour digging holes and sitting in the very hot water. It was great.
We carried on to Whitianga and a very nice room at a hostel right on the beach. It was like staying at someone's house circa 1960. Long walk along the shell covered beach made a nice end to the evening. Only one night here so we were up bright and early for the drive down to Rotorua. We were going via Matamata and Hobbiton!
