Lake Taupo and Coromandel Peninsula

On Christmas Eve, while the town of Taupo was shutting down for the holiday, we went to the lake and took a 2-hour boat ride to see some unique Maori rock carvings.  There were 50 people on board our boat and we really enjoyed the relaxing ride which went around the NE side of the lake.

 The Ernest Kemp, 30 years old and a replica of an historic vessel

After our complimentary glass of wine and a few snacks, we came upon the carvings.  Some are over 10 meters high and only accessible by water. The carvings may look like the remains of an ancient Maori village but were in fact created in the late 70s by a master carver as a gift to Taupo.

 This is the largest carving of a high priest and great navigator in the 13th century

 These represent guardians who protect the carvings

 This lizard is also called Protector

On Christmas day, while most everything in town was closed, we went to de Bretts Day Spa.  Was this ever relaxing!  There are 3 outdoor mineral pools to choose from: very hot, hot and cool.  Ahhhhh.....we just loved it.  And with our day pass, we were able to return at the end of the day.  This time, we soaked in a hot private pool.  Super ahhhhh.....

de Bretts day spa

Carving at the spa

Sculpture carved out of the bottom (pun intended) of a fern tree

Me soaking in our private hot pool--Happy Feet

So on the 26th, we said our goodbyes to Taupo and worked our way north to our next destination, the Coromandel Peninsula.

We stopped for two very pretty, short walks along the way.

 Hamurana Springs river walk

 Clear, clear water with visible rocks below

Redwood grove--these trees were brought from California and planted around 1900

Hamurana Spring--a source that starts here and flows downstream into Lake Rotorua

The next hike was to Okere Falls:

 Okere Falls

 Kayakers at the bottom after their ride down the falls

The Coromandel Peninsula (about 3 hours east of Auckland) is a popular vacation spot for locals with many beach towns along the coast.  We are staying in Whitianga (pronounced Fitianga in Maori) on the NE coast.

Now that's it's summertime, there are many activities in these towns including farmer's markets and craft fairs.

 Whitianga Fair

 Rope art

An insurance company at the beach was promoting good health and as a promotional stunt, had an obstacle course.  If you did the course, you could get a free tee shirt/sunscreen and sunglasses.  Free stuff!   Let's do it!

 Commando!

 

 Cowabunga!

The winners with their free booty!

Another activity we missed 5 years ago was going to Hot Water Beach, which needs to be visited during low tide. We were so lucky to have another chance this time to catch the low tide right  This is a beach that has underground hot springs which filter up through the sand and are exposed only during low tide.

Equipped with a shovel and towels provided by our motel, we were on our way.  And we were not alone!

This is a great destination all year round, but especially busy in the summer

What happens is this:  you start digging around, looking/feeling for warm spots (some spots would burn your feet).  Once you find a spot you dig, dig, dig and sometimes the cold ocean waves come in and destroy all your hard work.  But finally, the tide is low enough, the waves stop their destruction and you can finish digging and just sit and enjoy the warm water.

 Busy digging pools and building walls to keep the ocean waves out

 Miles and new friends digging

Ahhhhhhh......