This is where I'll be....

Beach!

top to bottom and left to right photos in previous blog: M on a "cliff" in Cathedral Cove, a little hike in the middle of our kayak trip. Joy cycling in the rain...soaked to the bone, M at Hahei beach at sunset...loved that beach, cycling...on the way to Thames?, Joy on the train with bikes to Papakura to begin

For the photos in previous post: top to bottom: M in our campsite in Coromandel, Tide Water campground...lovely eh? M swinging along the way from Thames to Coromandel, there were sheep everywhere on the green green hillsides...felt like we were in the "shire" all the time!, M biking...I think this was between Miranda and Thames, hot water beach.

Home Again

The trip home always seems more grueling somehow. Airline security was worse coming home...we seemed to glide through on the way there. Spent our last day in NZ kicking around Auckland...went up to the highest point in the tallest building in the southern hemisphere...pretty great view. Now I can download some photos without feeding coins in the machine. We had a great time, loved sharing with all of you loved ones along the way. Thank you for all the wonderful comments--we carry you in our hearts and minds always

Homeward Bound

We have about 10 hours left until we leave this lovely place. Got the bikes all packed up and all our gear as well. We'll kick around Auckland for the day until our plane leaves NZ time at 11 pm...then we arrive in LA before we left at 2 pm LA time :). I was going to post a bunch of pics right now but realized I left the connecting cord in a different bag which is locked up at the hotel for the day. Oh well. Pics soon. Yesterday we took a ferry over to Waiheke Island and toured a couple wineries, had lunch on the island, took a little bus tour. On the ferry coming back we saw the dorsal fins of a few orca whales. It was at quite a distance by the time we made our way over to the other side of the ferry...thrilling nonetheless. So, if ever you cannot find me either check the raspberry patch or the beaches of New Zealand, possibly floating around in one of those way cool kayaks we paddled at Hahei.

Driving Creek Railway

Had another great day today. Took the car back to Thames and returned it with no problems, then took a little bus back up here to Coromandel, timing was serendipitously perfect, and had lunch in town then rode our bikes up to the "Driving Creek Railway." We weren't sure what this would be, and it turned out to be the most charming and wonderful thing. A man whose name escapes me right now, built this narrow gauge train track straight up the mountain of a piece of land he purchased 30 years ago--he pretty much built it by hand. He is a potter and a glass blower as well...suffice it to say...the whole place was a work of art, the railway, the pottery everywhere, the designs in the cement he poured, the glass work, the tile art work on the hillsides, the glass bottle walls he built along the railway...we had no idea this would be so cool! Gotta run

Hot Water Beach and Beyond

We had a fantastic day today...filled with surprises. Started out by leaving, quite reluctantly, our lovely Hahei Beach for Hot Water Beach. Hot springs run under the the beach and at low tide, one can dig one's own little hot springs on the beach so to speak. I quickly decided it was not worth the labor of digging sand which was constantly falling back into your little hole with a very tiny shovel provided by the locals (the shovels are definitely a joke played on tourists by the locals). So we watched the scene....people of all ages, shapes, colors and sizes trying like crazy to dig a little hot springs on the beach! Michele painted a lovely water color and yours truly just kicked back and watched. Then we drove through Waihi and the Karangahake Gorge (most amazingly beautiful!) and into Paeroa where we found a couple of lovely Maori young women in a shop in town. We talked to them for some time and learned a tiny bit about their native tradition. From there we headed north again back up to Coromandel where we have our bikes and gear and will ride our bikes out from here after returning the Toyota Rav 4 we have been driving around the past few days. Our legs are grateful to us for sparing them the mountains...truth be told I am looking forward to climbing back into the saddle tomorrow. Well, that's it for now. Once we get back to Auckland, we'll post pics. The sun is setting--I'd better run!

Kayak to Cathedral Cove

Our little kayak trip to Cathedral Cove was lovely today. We're sleepy after a day on the water and in the wind and sun. Love to all

Hahei Beach and Cathedral Cove

Wow, wow, wow. We cannot post photos here...too far off the beaten track apparently. It is again, breathtakingly beautiful. We rented a car and popped the bikes in it to cross the mountains and get to the eastern side of the Coromandel pennisula. So glad we did. We are not in the shape one needs to be in to cross these mountains. Now we are staying just a few steps from a most beautiful beach...watched the sun rise on the beach this am. Saw a coupla parrots flying around yesterday. Today I went snorkeling at Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay while Michele painted two fantastic watercolors. The fish hung out with me, right neighborly of them I thought. Tomorrow we meet our kayak guide on the beach for a coupla hours of kayaking around this coast. Whew! Guess I'd better go rest up for such a hard day ahead. All our best to all of you. More later...and don't worry, the photos will come in due time :)

Today was a madatory day of rest :) Wonderful warm sunny day.

Coromandel

We are camping tonight with a view of the islands and the water. The "motorcamp" in which we are staying has a common kitchen...so cooking the fresh caught red snapper we bought in this little town was quite easy and fun. Now, after snapper and salad and wine...we spend a coupla minutes on the internet and off to our little tent. Another day in paradise!!

Thames

Success!! Finally managed to add some photos. Happily, we awakened to a sunny day. What a relief to have sunshine and no rain. So the birds are completely new to us. I awaken each morning to a cacaphony of birdsong. Great way to wake up. The smell of the sea, mingling with the perfume of the flowers and the birds leading and serenading our pedaling...what else is there?

Miranda Hot Springs

Ok, I have the very best partner in the world!! It rained on us all day...a nice soft rain, but we got completely soaked within the first 15 minutes of setting off. Now, since I was the one who really really wanted to ride our bikes over here, I was a wee bit nervous when I realized this would be an all day rain. Michele rode up behind me and exclaimed, "Isn't this beautiful?!" What a tough and great woman she is. So we rode to the Hot Springs with rain falling on us all the way. Fortunately this was a short ride (about 3 hours) and we could rent a room with a bed in it with a beautiful mineral water hot spring pool at our disposal. There are hot showers also and a communal kitchen we can use...we are very happy not to have to set up our tent in the rain. This was a breathtakingly beautiful ride, even in the rain. We rode right next to the water all day, blues and greens and coastline with incredible vegetation: lilies, hibiscus, ferns, palm trees, vines of all types, sweet white tiny camomille flowers...green green green fields with cows and sheep everywhere. We have had a most excellent day and are safely ensconsed in this little resort. We will update you again tomorrow.

Orere Point

Hello! Took a train from Auckland to Papakura, and rode from Papakura to Orere Point. Only one big hill...at the end of the ride of course. Made it up and were happy to find a simple cabin in a down to earth, charming camp ground. This morning set off for a half an hour walk to Tapapakanga reserve and beach...turned out to be a 2 hour walk to the reserve, breathtakingly beautiful. Had lunch on the beach and walked along the beach and took a little nap in the sand...then met some lovely ladies. Kay was kind enough to give us a ride back to our cabin. Thank you Kay! This is a dial up connection out here in the boonies...so will not try to post any photos today. Tomorrow we set off on our bikes to Miranda Hot Springs and beyond!

Auckland and Bike Ride to Mission Bay

Hi everyone! We are deliriously happy, riding our bikes along the water today to Mission Bay. Took us about 5 hours to put the bikes together :) Tomorrow we will take the train to Papakura and cycle out from there. Love to you all