new years day race

new years day race

Sunday, March 13, 2016

March 14, 2016 Coromandel, Waiheke and Auckland

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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