Oompa Lumpa House

Trip Start Nov 03, 2008
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41
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Trip End May 2009


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Flag of New Zealand  , North Island,
Sunday, February 8, 2009

On the way to Whangamata we passed through Kaitikati, a town famous for its muriels on the buildings, however, we were more impressed with the life size bronze titled  "Barry - a New Zealand Man" .... made us laugh as we were on our way to stay with Yvonne and Barry at their batch called the Oompa Lumpa house, near the beach. Had a great time with them and it was a chance for us to just chill out and catch our breath a bit.
We went out along the Coromandel and Visited Hot Water Beach and its not wrong...at 64 degrees you hop over the hot bits. 2 hours either side of high tide, you can dig your self a pit and the hot water below rises up to fill it. Cathedral Cove had some good walks and stunning views. We also went to Coramandel Town on the 309 " alternative route" that Bri navigated us on to.....its 25kms of sheer hell. The car never made it out of 2nd gear and as it was raining I was surprised we didint end up having to push it up the hills as the mud was so slippy Statue of Barry at Kaitikaiti
Statue of Barry at Kaitikaiti
 . All was well when we got there as the ice cream shop was open : O ) The rain then decided to go "tropical" and we ended up taking refuge at the Star & Garter , a fine establishment. Mable X

Mac thought Whangamata was great... swimming, did some boogie boarding, waded waist deep through surf to a small island, getting sunburnt and impressing Mable with his off road navigational skills.  They went to Thames for "A nice drive" and to get a real NZ ice-cream only to find it shut and pouring with rain.  Oh dear Mable was not best impressed and threatened to do harm to the entire NZ dairy industry if she didn't get one before she left the country.  The ironic thing is that you could get one anywhere in Australia.... but not seen one here at all.

Now ok, lets not exagerate the 309, it was a bit bumpy, the bends were horrendous and at right angles, there was no road surface as such and yes it would have destroyed most off road cars, but hey, they lived to tell the tale!  Mable managged to keep it together with the knowledge that a real NZ ice-cream was at the end, OR it was the end of the cows... and yes, by the time we got there it was raining BUT she got her ice-cream.   

A big big thanx to Yvonne and Barry for the use of their house, hospitality and fab bar-b-q.  Mac would visit Wangamata again with pleasure.  Mac
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