Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Hot Water Beach, Coramandel Peninsula






















Just 45 minutes to the beach if you do not get lost or distracted with three little kids in the backseat eager to hit the sand and the surf. Darren timed our arrival perfectly! Two hours before and two hours after low tide you can dig holes in the beach where 2 fresh water springs meet the gorgeous blue waters in the eastern Bay of Plenty. Geothermal activity abound on the islands of New Zealand below the ocean and terra firmas. Here at Hot Water Beach the hot rock beds 100s of meters below the sand heat the water rising from the earth of two springs. As you dig into the sand the warm and often HOT spring water fills these sandy pools we have all dug. Sit and enjoy and let your body soak up the heat and then pounce into the refreshingly cooler but still quite warm ocean waves at one of NZ's deadliest beaches. Due to rips you cannot see from land often swimmers are pulled under and out into the ocean. So we waded, tumbled and did not go out over our chests. Safety first!

The Coramandel Peninsula has wonderful vistas overlooking breath taking cliffs and marine reserves. Oh my! Snorkeling trails and hidden coves for the smallest of sailboats and home to the best beaches in New Zealand. Lots and lots of clever cafes, roadside fruit stands, and chic boutiques.

In New Zealand honey bees live the life! There are stacks and stacks of bee hives everywhere and not the typical white colored ones of the USA but all colors are celebrated. Bright blues, greens, golds, pinks, purples, grays, and browns.



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