Coromandel

(Visited March 15-17, 2011.) Coromandel was another memorable high point of the trip. After departing the fern-filled rainforests and glacier-carved fjords of the South Island, we headed back up to the North Island for some beach fun. Coromandel is apparently where the locals go for their vacations.

We stayed at a terrific bed and breakfast called Hahei Oceanfront. This was possibly my favorite bed and breakfast ever. The house was right on the beach, and they loaned us a kayak to row around in, as well as a shovel so we could dig ourselves a hot tub at the nearby Hot Water Beach. I remember the breakfast being delicious, and also walking distance from the cliffs where they shot scenes from the movie, Prince Caspian. This is the house from the back.

The Hot Water Beach is a hot spring underneath the beach that becomes accessible at low tide. Being fairly popular, we didn't really need our shovels because there were plenty of pre-dug holes, but the water was very nice and warm. (In some spots, the water is maybe too hot, so be careful!)

See more pretty pictures from Coromandel.