A couple of weeks ago we visited cousins who live in Hamilton. We hadn't seen them for over 20 years so there was a lot of catching up. They took us to the delightful Hamilton Gardens and the glow worm caves of Waitomo followed by a long, windy scenic drive in the mist back up the west coast - thanks Stuart!
We spent a few days near Rotorua, a town of steaming thermal springs, geysers and bubbling mud pools. The smell of rotten eggs lingers over the town - it's the sulphur from the ground - and it brings back memories of the science lab at school! The place conjured up pictures of hell to George Bernard Shaw who visited and he named one of the areas 'Hells Gate'! It's an area where the Maori culture is thriving; they are friendly and keen to share their history and traditions with visitors. There is lots to see and do here!
This is the beautiful picturesque Coromandel Peninsula with its sandy bays and emerald seas. We rented a holiday home built into the cliffs with wonderful sea views. We had many lovely coastal walks discovering bays bathed in sunshine and with no-one on them. These are some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen and it was a great relaxing week!
The Coromandel also has lovely walks through native forests where young kauri have been planted and the New Zealand silver fern grows. The silver fern is well known as an emblem of the country.
We spent a few days near Rotorua, a town of steaming thermal springs, geysers and bubbling mud pools. The smell of rotten eggs lingers over the town - it's the sulphur from the ground - and it brings back memories of the science lab at school! The place conjured up pictures of hell to George Bernard Shaw who visited and he named one of the areas 'Hells Gate'! It's an area where the Maori culture is thriving; they are friendly and keen to share their history and traditions with visitors. There is lots to see and do here!
This is the beautiful picturesque Coromandel Peninsula with its sandy bays and emerald seas. We rented a holiday home built into the cliffs with wonderful sea views. We had many lovely coastal walks discovering bays bathed in sunshine and with no-one on them. These are some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen and it was a great relaxing week!
The Coromandel also has lovely walks through native forests where young kauri have been planted and the New Zealand silver fern grows. The silver fern is well known as an emblem of the country. 
