Tairua Beach House

... would have had more time that would be the best place in the world to kayak) and Hot Water beach and Opito (daniel went spear fishing here, felt like i was watching the movie where the young couple get stranded on a beautiful island, you know, the one with brooke shields) one day, stopped for fish and chips by the sea i felt like a real kiwi. We hung out on the beaches and spent time with Bex's parents and friends. Great relaxing way to to start the trip.

... the isolation. Whitianga was another 40mins further up the coast. Nate had organised a taxi to take us to the Hot Water Beach at low tide so had and hour and half to settle into the Cat's Pyjama's hostel. A very homely place that was on the edge of town. Most of the bus stayed at the YHA further on which has some lovely views but a long walk back to town. Got organised, had a bite to, walked through town and made it to the ferry by 6pm. We all crossed the water and met the taxi on the ...

... what seemed more uphill than down!) in the sun and looking like prize idiots, we finally made it before the tide was in. With my rather rusty spade which I stupidly paid money for, I began digging for all my life was worth. Apparently my life is worthless as after an hour and with the tide steadily approaching (and with the beach full of desperately dug holes) no hot springs were found. What was worse is that the only ...

Onwards to Thames! A cute little town. Just a quick stop to see what's what and soak in some more kiwi life. We had been enjoying the weather so much that we were throwing the idea of tenting around. We had this tent knockin around in the back of our subaru for the last 5 months, why not get some use out of it? Well...here's why not. Not all of the ...

... travelled to now turn into Ainsworth road! We drove on through plantations of kiwi fruit and fields of cattle, the road being slightly inland from the sea. As we progressed north into the 'Coromandel Peninsula' the road became more twisty, as it climbed and fell near the 'Coromandel Forest Park'. At 'Whenuakite' we turned onto a side road leading directly to the coast and 'Hot Water Beach ...

... to the Hot Water Beach.... Here there is a hot spring (like at Sycamore, for all of you Central Coast people....) that runs under the sand at this beach. So, you walk down and see a huge group of people all in one spot... it's actually quite comical really. They have all dug holes in the sand, with little barrier walls around them. (You know where to dig because the sand starts to bubble and it gets quite hot.) So all of these ...

... ne olivat hienoja. Meteoriitista ei ollut Perussa tietoja, maanvyöryjä olikin sitten sen edestä. Peru, kuten Meksiko ja Ecuadorkin, tuntuvat olevan aika loitsuihin ja erilaisiin suitsukkeisiin uskovaa väkeä joten en ihmettele vaikka sieltä tulkittaisiin tulevan vaikka mitä tauteja. Nyt lähdetään rannalle etsimään vuorovesihiekan alta paljastuvaa kuumaa lähdettä, eilen olimme kai myöhässä, tänään uusi yritys.

... spread. So i'm on a course of anti-biotics, light pain meds, and anti-histamines. Nothing I can't work with. SO i shall relax today. But I continue to miss you all.. although i have gotten over my homesickness for the most part and have gotten much closer to a few people in the valley. It is a very intense experience we are all shareing here, hard to express. I wish you could all be here to experience it with me too. Love and Hugs, Bri

... rounded it off nicely. Wednesday 5th December We had a bit of a lie-in today and had fresh kiwi,strawberries and yoghurt for breakfast. I think we will be dining out tonight as Eddie did not take kindly to washing up, lst night and this morning, he has lost the knack!! WE have been for a drive up the coast and are just about to head of to the beach to read our books.

... like indulging myself whilst there. When I arrived the place was deserted and I half thought I must have taken the wrong road. The signs confirmed it was the correct place though so out I got. And the rain was still falling. The tide was in the correct place but to be honest I really didn't feel like getting into a swimsuit in the pouring rain (I know the whole point is to get wet, but rain is not the same thing). I wandered around, getting wet, but just couldn't ...