Coromandel, New Zealand

Disclosure: I had never heard of Coromandel…but then, I live in Canada so I can be excused, right? I did not know how to pronounce Coromandel. (I later learned the last part of the name rhymes with “handle”.)  I did not know why it sometimes was referred to as The Coromandel and sometimes as Coromandel. All I knew was the resort hotel we were booked into was in “the Coromandel region of New Zealand” so I assumed it was a place that Kiwis liked to go for their holidays.

And I was correct.

Leaving the Auckland airport we headed a bit south and then straight east almost to the coast where we crossed onto The Coromandel Peninsula.

So let’s see what it looks like.

After leaving Thames we traveled on an excellent highway which skimmed the edge of the Coromandel Forest. The road climbed higher and higher and the curves were abundant. (Little did we know that these we to be the gentlest curves we would find on the peninsula!) Then down into a wide valley.

Hint: Click on any photo to enlarge it.

This beautiful scene was to become very familiar to us as we headed to and fro from Puka Park Resort (our home for the week).

On the peninsula we found farmland…

and forest…lots of forest.

 

We found valleys…

We found cattle and mountains.

 

Aside: To get over those mountains and into the valleys…well, that is an adventure the first few times. One travels up and up and up, twisting and turning all the way. I wish I had taken photos of  some of the “sharp curve” and “twisty road” type of signs but I could not (as I was hanging on to the roof handle next to my seat). In some places the speed was posted as 100!!! In other areas it was a more reasonable 25. (still too fast for my liking). And then you travel down, down, down. It seems like every hairpin curve is right at the bottom of a steep grade! However, after a few days even I became comfortable on these roads.

But what did we enjoy the most?

It was when we found  beaches and views of the ocean. 

Above is one of the beaches in Pauanui.

And here is the public beach in Hahei.

 The Hot Water Beach is unique…

(Remember you can enlarge the photo by clicking on it)

and dangerous. Two days before we were there a very fit, athletic young man had to be rescued when he was swept into a rip by 3 meter high waves.

Aside: Also be very aware of parking restrictions. It is not well marked as to which is free parking and which areas are paid parking…and the parking wardens are vicious. (you  think I exaggerate? but I do not)

The colour of the water is ever changing and enchanting.

Who knew there were so many different shades of blue

…like here at the view point overlooking Cathedral Cove.

 

Who knew you could walk down a sandy trail and encounter a scene like this.

Well, you can…on The Coromandel Peninsula.

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