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The Coromandel Peninsula is exceptional. It's Eastern shores are littered with small inlets and white sand beaches where it's ranges in the middle are a mass of lush, green ferns and native rainforest.
We're destined for the picture-perfect haven known as Hahei. It is a relatively small area which is flanked by rocky headlands and rolling waves.
Our first stop was Hot Water Beach. Chelsea had heard about this spot and was keen as a bean to go there. Her main source of enthusiasm was that you could dig yourself a spa pool in the sand there; geothermal hot springs run under the sand and seep up through the sparkling sand. We got there a little late as it is best to dig 1/2 hours either side of low tide but this didn't hinder us as we just shamelessly plonked ourselves in someone else's pre-dug hole. It was a pretty bizarre experience, the cold sea water was lapping into your pool while the water coming from underneath was literally steaming and extremely hot - without the sea splashing in to cool you it wouldn't have been unbearable. A lifeguard informed us that you could boil an egg in them if you were that way inclined!
After being slowly boiled to death we jumped back into Jimi and made our way further along the Peninsula to Cathedral Cove. This turned out to be a sixty minute walk away along the coast which offered some exceptional views over the marine reserve.
When we eventually got to Cathedral Cove we saw the huge, arched cavern which the cove is named after. The cavern adjoined two pure, white sand beaches as well as showing off a range of stacks and rock formations out in the water.
Snorkelling around the rocks there was great fun. The water was as clear as glass and the sun was in my back keeping me warm. I saw some massive green, spotty fish that lurked in huge rock pools under the water. I was moderately proud of myself as when seaweed looms in front of me or touches my exposed calf I'd expect myself to scream and rocket back towards shore but I kept my cool and only squeaked feebly into my snorkel.
We sunbathed and splashed about in the sea for the remainder of the day before setting off to find a camp for the night with an ice cream in hand. The main ice cream brand here is Tip Top and they must have told their retailers to be generous with the scoops as you get a mountain of ice cream for what you pay! This time I opted for an orange and chocolate chip, attempting to relive a childhood memory from Portugal, but it just tasted chemically and not at all like I'd hoped.
Hobbiton tomorrow, I am genuinely tingling with excitement!
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John Lovely jubbly