coromandel town is a very small town so there is not much to see and the weather was crap anyway. it rained very hard last night and this morning we had to wait for a break in the rain to load our things in the car. we went out to long bay look so that they could search for shells--it's not really my thing. though i did want to find more of what i call vagina shells that we got at waiheke island as we are going to make necklaces of them as presents for people. our former flatmates have some as necklaces by coincidence and they said they were presents and picked from coromandel. we didn't find any at long bay.

we drove to the other side of the peninsula and stopped at whitianga to look for shells again. due to the storm, a lot of shells were on the beach and the water wasn't so pretty. due to low tide, we could walk out aways but chose not to. as we scoured the beach, the weather cleared up and a very nice, strong rainbow appeared. one fellow shell finder found some very nice specimens. we found tons of vagina necklaces. i even found a hermaphrodite necklace for myself!

rainbow over whitianga

shells gathered

since the timing was right, we drove over to hot water beach. we don't have a shovel but we want to experience what the big deal is. damn, it really is hot water beach. some of that water is scorching! the hot sand burns your toes more than anything. not all of it is hot. just some spots so you have to feel around, but be careful! good thing that the ocean waves are still able to reach you and bring some cool water relief.

hot water beach

after leaving hot water beach, we drove up a ridge and got a nice view of the area. i noticed that it was a kiwi zone as well. a little after that, i pulled over so twiddle thumbs could drive for the first time. she wanted to be able to say she drove on the left side. i joked that i would take a nap. i really did. i had no idea i was sleepy until i closed my eyes. i slept for just under 60 minutes. we stopped at a cafe for lunch. i didn't think they would have anything i could eat but they actually had vegetarian burgers. the lady was very accommodating and thoughtful with us. it was a bit strange because the place was covered with royal merchandise. i don't get people who buy plates of the queen but to each their own. after our lunch break, i drove again.

finally we were back in auckland. we checked into base backpackers and put stuff in room. damn, parking is expensive in this town. i parked at a lot across from the hostel that was $4 per half hour! back in the room, somehow i managed in two seconds to lock the locker, re-open because twiddle thumbs forgot to put something in there, and lose the lock. i tore that place apart. i figured nopalita would find it 3 months later in her stuff. i went a bit crazy trying to find the lock. i got really angry and had to vent it out. twiddle thumbs was the only other person in the room so i started slamming the locker. i knew she of all people would be ok with me freaking out a bit. sometimes, the dark side of the force takes over.