Today I start late, it’s 9:45am. Matt is building his own house and Caitlin has to make thousand of tales before summer time. So I offered my help as wwoofing. They will be available in 3 weeks so I changed a bit my plan. I will visit the center of the North Island now, then come back to Coromandel Town for a couple of weeks. Finally I will continue my way to the east as it was kinda planed since the beginning :-).
Hey what’s that? A giant metal spider :-). Aaah, as my NZ book writes, I should have arrived at Waterworks park (Maps).
I don’t need to explain anything. It’s all here :-).
One of these attractions is situated at the car park. I have to pay 20$ to see the rest. There is some attractions to interact with but alone… I’m really alone here there is no one else but me. I don’t want to spend my money for that. Bye!
Starting a fairly long climb
I prefer taking pictures of the forest 🙂 and to look for kauri trees.
I can hear a waterfall down there. Let’s have a look.
Indeed! That’s a waterfall 🙂
The pass is behind me now
The 309 road is one big hill. I’m on the way down now and the landscape is beautiful!
On the way down
I remember that, my NZ book mentioned also this place.
They are working, do not disturb them…
Beautiful river, very clear water!
That’s the shop… I thought it was bigger with somebody inside. Two dogs are coming to verify if I pay the honey I take :-).
Some honey and a basket. I like the concept. I could take 5 pots and give them 5 dollars but I’m honest and honey is such a good product 🙂 New Zealand feels like a very safe country where people trust each other. How nice!
Ok Doggy, I’ve paid, may I go out now?
Some time later
One more for my “letter box collection”. This one is the “Walle box” :-).
Arriving in Whatianga
All right, I’m in Whitianga now.
As usual… I’m the only guy in a tent… Cool!
Let’s have a visit of this small town, here we go :-).
The petrol station.
The port.
That looks like the city center.
The city is not really big (pop. 4500) but in summer it certainly crowded.
The beautiful beach 🙂
The port, another one.
The ferry place. I’m going to catch it tomorrow morning to continue my way around Cook beach, Hahei (Cathedral Cove) and Hot Water Beach.
Tomorrow there is a scallops festival (coquille saint jacques in french). They are setting up the tents and all the things for the organisation. But the entrance is 40$ gloups! Not for me…
Whitianga main road at evening.
Back to the campsite
Finally back to the camp. It’s time to cook :-).