this morning we got up really early to go to the polynesian spa. they open at 6:30am but we got there around 7am and it was still dark. we were there for about an hour. while soaking, my mind was clear and i realized where i had seen the asshole kiwi driver before: big day out! he was one of the drivers. he was friends with one of the cool drivers, smoking pot in the bleachers. asshole!

we bought some gifts at the spa gift shop then went back to the hostel for breakfast, and checked out. we went back to ohinemutu village to go to the shop. we bought a patu, a one-handed club, carved out of kauri. it has paua shell on it for the eyes which i know is not vegan but i wanted to bring back one maori thing at least to decorate our future home with and this seemed like the best choice. the money is going straight to the people. twiddle thumbs also bought some poi because i guess she wants to dance? don't know, she just wanted it so we got it.

even though it was raining, we headed over to the gondola and luge because twiddle thumbs was not leaving rotorua until she did the luge. again, we were able to get a kiwi experience discount for all of us, very cool. we only got two rides with the discount but i don't think i want to even do two rides in the rain! we got quite soaked on the first run. the advanced track was closed due to the rain but the scenic and intermediate courses were open. our second run on the intermediate course was not as wet. i was afraid we would soon be sick. i do not want to get sick. i especially do not want to be sick on the plane ride back! bought more presents at the gift shop there. will it ever end?

after that we hit the road towards coromandel peninsula. we stopped in matamata so that the girls could take their picture with the welcome to hobbiton sign. nopalita's aunt made her bring the local paper so she could take a picture with it since they have a section where they publish photos of readers on vacation if they pose with the paper. here ya go girls, published on the net in case you don't make it in print.

two mexicans in search of the ring

a lie just like coke--lemon and no longer paeroa mineral water

we also stopped in paeroa to take a picture of the giant l&p sculpture that is there. only, i think they moved it. it looks new now and is in front of a cafe. i'm not gonna spend my time searching paeroa for another giant l&p so i took the pic and drove out. i want to buy one of the new sugar free sweet as l&p's to take back even though i don't like l&p or any soda any more, just so people back home can give it a try and because the sweet as label is hilarious.

the drive up the coast was nuts. i really don't want to do that again. it was just monotonous. i was trained by the california pacific coast highway, highway 17, and highway 9 so i was prepared for the drive. it just really is too slow to do again so i'm glad we'll not be taking it back to auckland. instead we're gonna drive around the peninsula.

we made it to coromandel town and checked in to the yha there. it seems no one else is there. i think we are the only guests, including the adjoining motel complex. there are bugs in room. i hate bugs. the rooms smells a bit. mildew. the room is cold. no heaters. no electrical outlets either. the girls don't like the bathroom on top of that. they were so disappointed i think they wanted to find someplace else. i made them put up with it and make the best of it.

they mean it when they say watch out for falling rocks