December 1, 2008
Oh my goodness so much to tell everyone...
So, we have made it around the Coromandel Penninsula. We first went to Thames this past Wednesday and met up with Marcus, the guy who sold us the car. He took us up the West coast (the Bay) and we went to a very random Tui bar and sat in the beer garden getting really drunk (well, they did). Then we (I) drove us back to his house where we met his wife. A Thai woman who looked to be younger than us and his 1 year old baby. She took us to a Thai restaurant just opened by her Thai friends and it was DELICIOUS!!!! Finally, real authentic food...not just fish and chips. :) But Marcus is a bit sketch and makes me nervous. He is much more intelligent than he led on in the beginning and he always seems to be fishing for something. But it was a nice day. We parked out by the Bay waters that night and then drove up the coast through the town of Coromandel to the very top at Fletcher Bay where cows tramped around the grass and mooed like they were dieing all night long. On the road there we saw some of the most amazing beaches. I know everyone's probably tired of me saying that, but every time I think I've seen the best one, we go somewhere new and just gets better!! We also got blocked on the road by a bunch of sheep and the shephard had to come (with his shepharding stick and dog!!!) and get them off the road and back in the fence!! It was so cool! And cows...so many cows...so close to the road that ari threw his gum out the window and nailed a bulls straight in the head.
The boys were going to hike the 3 hour hike to the next camp the next day, but we woke up so dehydrated, the water at the site wasn't drinkable, and it was grey and wet, so we decided to head back into Coromandel. Since Friday was Thanksgiving in the US we took the time to make the calls!! HAPPY BELATED THANKSGIVING! It really meant a lot to get to talk to so many people from back home...I, of course, cried a lot. lol. I'm a sap.
We then moved on to Whitianga. I already told some of the fam, but it was one of the best we've been to and the first where we immediately thought "we could live here." So, we got a room above a bar and talked a lot with the woman at the information center. This town has EVERYTHING! except a lot of treks and surfing (both high on the mitch and ari requirements list). She told us all about events and things to do and places to go. Embassy people, take note...there's a school here...look it up. http://www.activity.co.nz/ I think. It's called Coromandel Outdoor School. IT'S and ESL school like Embassy, but the electives are outdoor activities! Kayaking, rock climbing, scuba, carving, weaving....I so would love to have a job there.
As we left, the woman came running after us saying "Wait! I forgot to tell you I'm in a show tonight!" She said it's just a fundraiser being put on by the Mercury Bay Club and that if we're bored we should go and get some cheap beer and enjoy a bunch of locals making fools of themselves singing songs from the decades. We went out that night and there was hardly anyone out! There was noone in the bars. We started to think the town was a little too small. So we went to the local event. And it was hilarious!! That was where all the townpeople were! And it was so random and funny and we had a good laugh....and I got beer spilled all over me by a drunk woman trying to make eyes at Ari and Mitch all at the same time (there was one on either side of me).
We decided to keep going and just see what else was out there before we made a final decision to stay at Whitianga. So we continued further south to even MORE beautiful beaches!
We went to Hot Sand Beach....there's thermal pools under the sand and you can dig at low tide and make hot pools in the sand. And it gets HOT!! so that was a lot of fun. We got a bit of a tan...my legs have gone from white to off white. It was the first time we could go in the water without a wetsuit. Then we went to Whangamata and Catherdal Cove..an awesome hike to a bay that has the rock cut out into the shape of a catherdral...naturally.
Then we continued on....and eventually got to Tauranga. And immediately made a decision. It's a bigger town, but not a city. It has a waterfront scene with bars and cafes and chill shops and boats in the bay. And the other side is Mt. Maunganoui the beach with some of the best surfing in all the North Island and a moutain to climb! And there's a really cool little downtown area with even cooler things to do and see! We're so excited!! :) So, we've already started looking for places to live and found a couple good ones!! :) So, we'll let you know as more progresses!! :)
xoxo
Alissa
So, we have made it around the Coromandel Penninsula. We first went to Thames this past Wednesday and met up with Marcus, the guy who sold us the car. He took us up the West coast (the Bay) and we went to a very random Tui bar and sat in the beer garden getting really drunk (well, they did). Then we (I) drove us back to his house where we met his wife. A Thai woman who looked to be younger than us and his 1 year old baby. She took us to a Thai restaurant just opened by her Thai friends and it was DELICIOUS!!!! Finally, real authentic food...not just fish and chips. :) But Marcus is a bit sketch and makes me nervous. He is much more intelligent than he led on in the beginning and he always seems to be fishing for something. But it was a nice day. We parked out by the Bay waters that night and then drove up the coast through the town of Coromandel to the very top at Fletcher Bay where cows tramped around the grass and mooed like they were dieing all night long. On the road there we saw some of the most amazing beaches. I know everyone's probably tired of me saying that, but every time I think I've seen the best one, we go somewhere new and just gets better!! We also got blocked on the road by a bunch of sheep and the shephard had to come (with his shepharding stick and dog!!!) and get them off the road and back in the fence!! It was so cool! And cows...so many cows...so close to the road that ari threw his gum out the window and nailed a bulls straight in the head.
The boys were going to hike the 3 hour hike to the next camp the next day, but we woke up so dehydrated, the water at the site wasn't drinkable, and it was grey and wet, so we decided to head back into Coromandel. Since Friday was Thanksgiving in the US we took the time to make the calls!! HAPPY BELATED THANKSGIVING! It really meant a lot to get to talk to so many people from back home...I, of course, cried a lot. lol. I'm a sap.
We then moved on to Whitianga. I already told some of the fam, but it was one of the best we've been to and the first where we immediately thought "we could live here." So, we got a room above a bar and talked a lot with the woman at the information center. This town has EVERYTHING! except a lot of treks and surfing (both high on the mitch and ari requirements list). She told us all about events and things to do and places to go. Embassy people, take note...there's a school here...look it up. http://www.activity.co.nz/ I think. It's called Coromandel Outdoor School. IT'S and ESL school like Embassy, but the electives are outdoor activities! Kayaking, rock climbing, scuba, carving, weaving....I so would love to have a job there.
As we left, the woman came running after us saying "Wait! I forgot to tell you I'm in a show tonight!" She said it's just a fundraiser being put on by the Mercury Bay Club and that if we're bored we should go and get some cheap beer and enjoy a bunch of locals making fools of themselves singing songs from the decades. We went out that night and there was hardly anyone out! There was noone in the bars. We started to think the town was a little too small. So we went to the local event. And it was hilarious!! That was where all the townpeople were! And it was so random and funny and we had a good laugh....and I got beer spilled all over me by a drunk woman trying to make eyes at Ari and Mitch all at the same time (there was one on either side of me).
We decided to keep going and just see what else was out there before we made a final decision to stay at Whitianga. So we continued further south to even MORE beautiful beaches!
We went to Hot Sand Beach....there's thermal pools under the sand and you can dig at low tide and make hot pools in the sand. And it gets HOT!! so that was a lot of fun. We got a bit of a tan...my legs have gone from white to off white. It was the first time we could go in the water without a wetsuit. Then we went to Whangamata and Catherdal Cove..an awesome hike to a bay that has the rock cut out into the shape of a catherdral...naturally.
Then we continued on....and eventually got to Tauranga. And immediately made a decision. It's a bigger town, but not a city. It has a waterfront scene with bars and cafes and chill shops and boats in the bay. And the other side is Mt. Maunganoui the beach with some of the best surfing in all the North Island and a moutain to climb! And there's a really cool little downtown area with even cooler things to do and see! We're so excited!! :) So, we've already started looking for places to live and found a couple good ones!! :) So, we'll let you know as more progresses!! :)
xoxo
Alissa
posted by Alissa and Ari at
12:20 AM
5 Comments:
Sounds more and more beautiful everywhere you go! I want to go to the Hot Beach. That sounds really fun!
This comment has been removed by the author.
Oops typo'd on my earlier comment... so as i was trying to say... I am glad you guys found such an awesome beach community to stay in. Good luck on the job hunt. Love and miss you guys.
Love Kel Kel
Hi Alissa and Ari,
What a great way to find your new home...just when you think you've found perfection, it gets even better! I can't wait to hear about all your upcoming adventures.
I'm going back to work (part time at first) next week. I've really enjoyed sleeping in and doing nothing! Looks like we'll both be going back to around the same time. Working at that school sounds like such a fun job...good luck!
Miss you,
Spartos
Sounds so exciting! I am having fun vicariously through you. Love to you both.
Nora
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