Hi all
The drive from Tauranga to the Coromandel was yet again as stunning as every other drive we have done in the North Island so far.

A few hours of twisting/winding roads through lush green forests, highways and of course the fantastic ocean scenic roads. We finally set base in Te Puku Holiday Park a few kms out of Thames. We arrived around lunchtime and decided after a quick cuppa to drive up the coast to Coromandal Town.
Coromandal town is beautiful. An “old worldy” sort of place, where I would imagine settlers landed back in the day, as everything was as if it was at the turn of the 20th century. The main street has gorgeous colonial buildings, beautiful and magnificent wooden structures – (something that you would find in an American cowboy an Indians film), very quaint. We had lunch in one of the many cafe/bars an totally gorged ourselves with their finest culinary delights. (It’s thirsty work driving all day). A leisurely walk around town, a quick visit to get provisions for tonight’s meal, and we were off again back to Te Puku.

Te Puku Holiday Park – well we had booked a 1 bedroomed chalet. What we got was a hut! A set of bunk beds, with a double bed, and a extra single bed above the double. (Honestly there were only 2 of us, but we could have set up camp for an army). When we booked in the lady stated we were opposite the toilet block and round the corner from the 1 and only shower block!!!!! HI-DI-HI CAMPERS! Panic struck in at this point and we were going to ask for an “upgrade”, but looking around it appeared we were in the upgrade. Tents , caravans, yep we had the Palacios accommodation.
The following morning Tina stated she would drive as we wanted to go to Whitiangi. Looking at the map I noticed a “short cut” inland, instead of the coastal route, so we opted for this. Throughout the previous night the weather had turned rather bad, “to say it was persistent, would be an understatement). Well the short cut turned out to be an adventure in itself, no seal on the roads, pouring down with rain, 1 lane roads and hilltop drops of a few hundred meters. The fauna and flora were outstanding as we’re the views, but many gasps of shock, heart racing, and at times my pulse stopping, we got to our destination. (Tina here, i found the drive brilliant) Once out of the car, we looked downwards at the state of the car, it was covered in mud and sludge – we couldn’t even see it’s true colour! It resembled a rally car after finishing a stage. Again after a swift drink, we followed the signs for a tourist attraction named The Lost Springs not too far out of town. Togs and towels at the ready we walked up the driveway. What met us was a wonderful fiji style spa complex. Once inside, we found we were in yet another tropical paradise. Several hot pools to bath in, some so deep you could actually swim in, and at the end of one, there appeared to be a ”hole” in a wall. We swam to it to find it was a swimming cave, a beautiful oasis filled with stalagmites and crystals. Everywhere you looked the walls sparkled with an array of different colours. This was pure paradise (well worth the mega bucks entrance fee).
We followed this with a few samples from their menu including a Pinacolada before the very relaxing drive back to the camp.
Tomorrow’s another day in Whangarei.