Singing Our Way Through The Coromandel

Kia Ora!

So I had about a week and a half off until Jeff visits (he comes in 1 day!!!) so I decided to go back to my host parent’s batch with some of my friends Sam (check out his blog here) and his brother Jonathan. Sam was in the same program I have been in but left in October and has been coaching, teaching, and playing rugby since. His brother got here a few weeks ago and is staying till Sam heads back in July.

Been hanging with Jax heaps!

So we headed off to the Coromandel Peninsula about a 2 hour drive from Auckland and it was a rainy day but it was nice to be away from the city and on own on for a bit. It is so much fun driving with Sam and Jonathan – they sang, played the ukulele and kept all of us occupied for the whole drive J

We hung out on Tuesday, went grocery shopping, walked downtown Whangamata, and made a family dinner which was yummy!

roasting mallows! 

On Wednesday we decided to drive up the East coast and then drive on the 309 road across the peninsula and end up in Coromandel Town. Driving along the road was so peaceful, beautiful, and full of surprises! We first stopped at a swimming hole, the water was too cold to swim in but we took a break and skipped some rocks.

We then turned off and took a walk though the Kauri forest. We came across these huge beautiful Kauri trees. I love these trees; they are among the oldest trees in the world J

While we were driving we came across a bunch of pigs crossing the road we of course stopped and asked if we could hold the pigs. The owner said yes and we held the baby pigs. (Our car smelled like pigs for the rest of the trip) - Sam has pictures on his blog. 

We finally made it to the other side (West) to Coromandel town and drove back towards the batch. It was such a beautiful drive, watching the sun setting over the water and seeing Auckland city in the distance.

The next day we drove to Cathedral Cove, I have already been there with Brittany and Allison (read it here). It is just a beautiful spot and one of my favorites in NZ. After a nice walk to the beach we saw the big rock formation and the cove. We actually met a couple from Indiana on the beach there who was just touring around NZ – small world!!!

After Cathedral Cove we headed to Hot Water Beach – the boys loved sitting in the warm (sometimes very hot) water I didn’t sit but just soaked my feet J

Friday morning we got up early, cleaned everything up, and headed back to Auckland!

It was such a fun time with great friends! I now have to wait less than 35 hours for Jeff to arrive!! I plan on blogging throughout our trip – not sure when I will have internet but I will try my hardest!!

This week we are going to Rotorua, Taupo, and Waitomo then finishing the week with the ALL BLACKS game in Auckland!! Then flying to the South Island for two weeks touring in a campervan!

I will be home in 22 days! Bitter sweet J

Miss everyone!