North Island

Keli (Dick & Kitty's daughter) and Suzi at Keli's house in New Zealand

Catheral Cove was as pretty as 9th St. Beach in Laguna and it had a fresh water shower for after those V-ball games

More of Cathedral Cove on the Coramandel Pennisula

Wishing for sunshine ....

The cave went all the way through to another cove.

Weird rock formations and crystal clear water.

The fishermen use tractors to launch their boats.

The tractors are higher off the water so they can go deep enough to launch or pick up the boats.

I saw a bunch of these tractors in people's front yards and wondered what they were for.

We have thoroughly enjoyed driving through more amazing lands, meeting cheerful, interesting characters, and relishing all that is wonderful about New Zealand. By the time we finished the fantastic ferry ride from Picton to Wellington, we were quite ready to stop and try to relax, not something that is easy to do in the beautiful city of Wellington. The ferry ride over through Queen Charlotte Sound was beautiful, and once we got into Cooks Strait, which can be horrendous, the crossing was easy. We found the only campground in town, in a carpark on the wharf and stayed there after a great walk along the harbor and wharf. We did stop for a late drink at the infamous Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club where the wonderful seafood dinners are way beyond our budget, and it was easy to crawl into our comfortable van bed and fall fast asleep, even with the traffic of the city close by. Even this carpark had warm showers welcoming us to our day in the city. We did muster up the energy to take in the fabulous Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. We were both exhausted after three hours, but the new exhibition of the Maori Civil Rights Movement and struggles was amazing and disturbing, reminding me of our own Civil Rights Movement in the US. It has been many years the indigenous people, along with many New Zealanders who are seeking human rights for all, have struggled peacefully, and their presence is certainly now felt.  We drove out of the city, knowing we missed a great deal of culture, but we needed to get out of town and back to some peace and tranquility. 

We decided to drive the west coast Surfer's Highway, which took us to some great towns on our way to New Plymouth. We stopped at a few of the famous surf spots but there were no waves. We met classic salty-dog fishermen, surfers looking for waves, and many people just living life in the laid back area. After many weeks of David eye-balling all the golf courses in every town, we stopped by one and the older guys invited him to come play the next day. So, we stayed two nights in a lovely campground on the beach in Oakura; David was in hog heaven golfing with the guys, and I was delighted to hike the trail down to the beach for the afternoon the next day. As with all the campgrounds we have stayed in, each one has great kitchen facilities, laundry rooms, internet availability, usually a TV room, and clean showers. What more could we need to mellow out?!

The next couple of days we worked our way up to the Coromandel area to where Keli and Chris live,  an incredible area of stunning beaches and amazing countryside. We started by continuing up the west coast on a little country road to the very quiet mostly fishing Kawhia Harbor, with beautiful sand dunes and views at the state park, and then began our drive to the east coast of Coromandel and the lovely town of Tairua. We stayed with our friends' daughter, Keli, her husband, Chris, and their son, Ryder. We had a great curry dinner and laughed as we recalled people from the past they both knew from growing up in Laguna Beach. They live in a great house at the top of a hill overlooking the bay, and Chris and Ryder surf and do stand-up paddling daily. Even though the weather was marginal, they inspired us to go to Hot Water Beach, the Lost Springs Resort in Whitianga, enjoy a fabulous dinner at Squids, and hike to Cathedral Cove, one of the only beaches we have ever seen which could be just as beautiful as 9th and 10th Street Beach in Laguna. 

Hot Water Beach

We left the Coromandel a couple of days ago, and drove the Pacific Coast Highway to Auckland,  bypassed the big city, and are now in Wangarei, having a wonderful visit with cruising friends we met in El Salvador. David is really happy wandering the boatyard where Scream is having work done on her bottom, and the sun has finally come out. We will enjoy some more time here tonight and be on our way tomorrow, heading for the Bay of Islands and a few other places we have been told about. It is hard to believe this amazing vacation is almost over. We certainly have thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful country and its people!  We are both a bit tired of camping in the van, but it has really been a reasonable way for us to see as much as we have. We are definitely lucky to have been able to be here in the land where people really do embrace what they have with smiles on their faces.  Life is good.          
   
The pictures of me meditating are letting Casey's girlfriend, Liz, know that I am sending her love and light. She is struggling right now in Portland, Oregon and needs all good vibes sent her way. I love you, Liz.  I love you, too, Casey.