What’s in a name?

We leave the hobbit-botherers down in Matamata to continue our adventures in the Coromandel, the north-east part of north island. Our lodge is a luxurious wooden cabin, surrounded by sub-tropical planting with great views of the starry night sky and only a few steps to fabulous GF pizza and craft beer!

The Coromandel takes its name surprisingly from India! The HMS Coromandel was the first European ship bringing settlers to the region, and was named after India’s Coromandel Coast.

Mercury Bay – to boldly go

It was Captain James Cook (I know, not Jim Kirk, but sounds similar!) who named Mercury Bay back in 1769, with HMS Endeavour to view the transit of Mercury across the sun, and there is a plethora of Cook-a-bilia to explore in Whitianga museum.

Whitianga reminds me of a small Cornish fishing village, a short foot-ferry ride from Purangi, the town hugs Mercury Bay with a small harbour and the usual craft shops, pubs and cafes. What is unusual though is the ‘Lost Spring’ spa, tree-fringed sculpted thermal pools surrounded by an enchanting garden.

In hot water

We continue the relaxing theme and take our free spade down to ‘Hot Water Beach’ to dig our own spa pool. For two hours either side of low tide, hot water (up to 60 degrees in some places) bubbles up through the sand, and we lie in our own steamy ‘pool’ while ocean waves pound the shore only metres away! Mind you, by the time we have worked hard to dig a hole big enough to lie in, we need a spa for our aching arms and shoulders! (And don’t even think about how long it takes to wash the sand out of one’s swimwear!).

Barefoot beachbums

We explore the beautiful white sand beaches, magnificent rock formations and crystal-clear water of Cathedral Cove both on foot and by kayak. This area is a protected marine reserve, and we see lots of fish, birds and even some New Zealand fur seals (which are actually sea lions).

The majestic archway of Cathedral Cove links two magical coves, and we land at one for a snack and coffee on our kayak trip. I especially appreciated the part where our guide Shaun dived into the surf to ‘guide’ our kayaks in to the beach (bit of a Daniel Craig as James Bond moment – Mike says it’s my age!)

We have often wondered why a lot of locals walk around barefoot, even in the paved streets and tramping tracks here in New Zealand. Shaun explains that New Zealanders don’t wear shoes because ‘they are careful not to drop their beer glasses’! There we are then!

The 309 road

The Coromandel is not just about magnificent beaches and spas though, and we take some time out to drive the scenic gravel road from Whitianga to Coromandel town, discovering Kauri groves, waterfalls and even a spiritual water garden on the way!

Singapore Sling-back

We enjoy a relaxing couple of days in Singapore on our return trip. The pool and the galleries are a great way to escape the stifling heat, and we wish we had spent longer here.

Singapore is a vibrant and friendly place, a very clean city, proud of all its cultural influences, yet at the same time having a comforting ‘Britishness’ about it.

Writing this from home, with the sun shining and the birds singing in our small garden, I recall a poem from the Chinese garden in the Gardens by the Bay:

‘Seeing the trees in the courtyard brings joy to my face.                                                                     I lean on the south window and let my pride expand,                                                                          I consider how easy it is to be content with a little space’   

The Return: A Rhapsody, by Tao Yuaming

First Class Trip!

It is not easy to summarise all of our experiences and reflections of our three months in New Zealand, though hopefully the blog portrays a personal narrative, rather than a guidebook view!

We have loved seeing all the wonderful wilderness, spending time with old friends and making some new ones, pursuing our passion for photography and keeping fit with some active sports along the way!

It has been a real privilege to have had time to step outside the camouflage of routine of our working lives, learning more about ourselves in the process.

Mike and Kath xx