New Zealand- November 25

The next day we took a drive along the scenic Coromandel peninsula.  It was a long Thanksgiving Day.  I bring up that it Thanksgiving because we were starving most of the day.  We did not know that everything in new Zealand outside the cities closes by 8 pm (or earlier)  the lunch we had would be our last until 9 pm back at the hotel.  Well worth it.


We started along the shore and made our way up the mountains.

The little rocks in the water were dotted with sea birds.

 We quickly started making our way up the mountains.

The little curly-cue bud is the symbol of NZ.  

Caroline took a picture of this sign so I have to post it.  

We stopped in the town Coromandel for lunch.  It was another beautiful spring day.

Caroline and I had some fun while Tommy and Bill took pictures.

These were the flowers on the trees above us at the outdoor cafe.  

Little did we know that would be our last meal for the next 9 hours...

We started back around the mountains...

We made our way to "Hot water beach."  There is a natural spring underneath.  We dug ourselves a hole and stuck our feet in.  It is really hot!  You can't go too deep because you will get burned.
You have to go at low tide.  We got there as the tide was coming in.

Had to show you one of my great Okinawan pedicures.  I had lots of compliments on my nails and toes in Australia and NZ.  This is actually a mild version of some of the great nail art they do here.

Caroline found some star fish.

We found a historic trail as our last excursion of the day.  

The waves left these beautiful impressions in the sand.  They made me think (and miss) Patrick.  He is an artist and would find these inspirational.

 Gotta love the daisies!