To Thames then Home

Oct 11: Our last day.  

 Why did our last day have to be so perfect!  Makes it harder to leave.

 We drove from Coromandel to Thames.

 Beautiful coastline.

We stopped to get a proper picture with Mary, before dropping her off in Thames.

 

 Butterfly and Orchid garden in Thames.

It was kinda lame.

 

 But the butterflies were pretty.

 While I was inside, Chris suntanned in the playground.  Not creepy at all.

 In Auckland we went to DressMart, a mall of outlet stores.  

 Then killed time at the airport.

 This Korean dude was using elbows and knees on Chris!

 On the plane at last.

 Bye-Bye Auckland.

 Arriving in LA, 12 hours later... but still Oct 11.  Crazy date line.

 After a missed connection in Toronto, we finally arrive in Halifax.  Pretty colours.

 

That's Adam's house!   Hi Adam!

New Chums Beach

Oct 10:  Our last full day in NZ.  We decided to tour around the Coromandel Peninsula, and find the elusive New Chums Beach.

 This isn't it.  This is the beach where you start the walk to New Chums.

Had to cross a stream...

 ...and this rocky beach.

 Path was a bit muddy in parts.

 Nifty orange rock.

 Through some jungle...

 Yay!  New Chums Beach!

 Very secluded and pristine.  

I sat on the beach, hoping for sun.

 Chris went to check out the cool rocks.

 Love the colours.

 Chris goes for a dip.

 He couldn't resist the waves.

 Mary and I stayed on the beach.

 The trek back.

 Washing the mud off my boots... for the last time.  *sniff*  Time to dry them off and pack them up for the flight home.

 We took some back roads, but it wasn't very pretty.

 Found this crazy tree overhanging a cave.

 Chris can't resist exploring any cave he sees.

 I've gained a few pounds on this trip... the tree couldn't quite handle my weight.

 Buddhist Stupa, in the middle of nowhere.

 Must be Tibetan... these are prayer flags.

Chris played chicken with this chicken.   Chris won.  Eventually.

 Heading to a waterfall, just south of Coromandel town.

 Chris, deciding if he wants to swim or not.

Waiau Falls.

Cathedral Cove

Oct 9:  Cathedral Cove is one of those places you see on postcards.  A secluded beach, reached by a half hour hike, and then passing through a large cave... beautiful.

The beginning of the hike.

 

Mary & Carrie, taking a break.  We met Mary at the hostel... she needed a ride to Hot Water Beach, and ended up spending the day with us.

 Chris, enjoying a break as we reach the first beach.

 Then on through the cave.

 This place was used in one of the Narnia movies.

 Cathedral Cove.

 On the way back:  Gemstone Cove.

 Hiking out again.

 We went for a drive along the Black Jack Road, and came to this place... Matapaua Bay.

We climbed the rocks to that saddle in the distance.

 There was a pretty little cove on either side.

 And a gnarly tree.

 That evening we went to The Lost Springs spa to enjoy more thermal pools.

 Nicest one yet.