We spent a couple of days in the Coromandel Peninsula. We first
anchored off the town of Coromandel, but found the mud flats extended way too
far out for easy shore access. We motored for 20 minutes, then paddled in the
shallows for 15 minutes, then dragged the dinghy through knee deep mud for over
30 minutes to reach the pier. Tired and dirty, we found out it was better to
anchor off Te Kouma, so we moved there as soon as the tide rose enough to leave
easier.
We rented a car and drove to Whitianga and Hot Water Beach on the
eastern shores of the Coromandel. Gary got some good surf, while the kids and I
enjoyed the hot springs that bubble out of the sand on the beach. We dug a pit
in the beach to make a hot tub, and relaxed in some very hot water. This is an
extremely popular tourist spot, so there were lots of people all crowded into
the small stretch of beach where the hot springs reach the surface. Gigi went
surfing on the inside waves once Gary got back, and we had a hard time getting
her to leave.
We spent 1 night in Opopo Bay on the eastern end of Waiheke so we
could hike to the Stony Batter. Axel was extremely disappointed when we got
there that the WWII tunnels were barricaded, as that was a huge draw for all of
us. Although the remains of the massive gun embankments and other structures
were still visible.
We spent 10 days in Auckland at the Viaduct Marina. Everyone loved
getting their fill of city living and unlimited internet. The marina is located
in the heart of the city, so it is incredibly easy to walk to anything. The
kids and I went to see the Phantom of the Opera and were blown away by the decor
in the Civic Theater. It is an Indian theme, filled with Buddhas, tigers,
elephants, serpents, and the ceiling in the theater is painted with the
twinkling southern hemisphere sky. Gigi and I went to the world's longest
catwalk fashion show, the catwalk zigzagged its way up an entire block. Axel
and Gary biked all around Newmarket and found that Auckland is a very hilly
city.
We sailed in the Classic Yacht Regatta on other people's boats,
which was great as we now have made some good friends in Auckland. My boat beat
Gary's across the line, but his beat us on corrected time, even though they are
the same boats (they have some odd rating issues here).
We went to the Skytower, Art Museum, Maritime Museum, did lots of
shopping, explored different areas of the city, and found a cool park in
Ponsonby. One night we enjoyed dinner and a movie outdoors at Silo Park. Gary
and I even got to have our first date night out in a year.
We left Auckland and headed to nearby Waiheke Island to get ourselves
out of city mode. We toured the island yesterday, stopping to do a little
archery and wine tasting, then build sand castles and swim at Onetangi Beach. We
spent two nights at Waiheke Island, now we are off to Tiritiri Island and probably
back out to Great Barrier Island.
Cheers,
Julie
Westhaven marina on the left, Viaduct marina on the right, seen from the Skytower
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