New Chums Beach

New Chums, off Whangapoua beach, is a lovely hidden jewel, but not a secret. Lots of visitors the day I was there. It reminded me a lot of the beaches in the Abel Tasman, golden sand bays with aqua blue water and bush all around (though this one had some rocky cliff faces). Theres a few campaigns to "Save New Chums" around the place, which I asked one of the locals about. She said its owned by developers and people don't want it developed because that will spoil its current natural loveliness. If i had a treasure like that in my backyard, I would want it saved for future generations as well.

Cathedrale Cove

I hadn't been to Cathedrale Cove for about 20yrs when I decided to go back and check it out again. It was completely overrun by people and it was nearly impossible to get a carpark, I had to drive down the hill and back up a couple of times before I spotted some people about to leave and took their carpark. It was a hot wonderful summers day and the water was awesome and refreshing. I did wonder about everyones blatant disobservance of all the warning signs around the archway warning about falling rock possibility. But then I can't really talk coz I went through the arch a few times to take photos and go for a swim on the other side.

The last time I was there it was a sunday and we went with our youth group. The leaders wouldn't let anyone in the water, it being the Sabbath, and so we ended up building sand castles on the beach (Book of Mormon oriented ones, if I remember rightly) until some of the boys "accidentally" threw their ball in the water and all of them needed to go in the water to get it back out.

This time I went for a swim, it was much better.

Hahei

I had never been to Hahei beach before, nor did I realize how close it was to Cathedrale Cove (which I went to when I was 12). Lucky I went on a weekday the place was completely packed out, I was so glad I have a little car or I never would have got a park. One of the most beautiful calm swimming beaches I have ever been to.
I didn't realize it was a marine reserve until I got there. Got talking to one of the locals who has lived there for a few decades, he loves the place. It was easy to see why.

Tairua

When I was younger my cousins often went to Tairua on their summer holidays and would tell us about their great times. I had never been there, and so when I saw the sign for it on my way up the Coromandel Peninsula I decided to stop in for a looksee. It was great. Climbed up the top of Paku Hill and took photos of the scenery - could see Pauanui from the top.

Catlins

Had an awesome day travelling between Dunedin and invercargill, stopping in this rugged wilderness area known as the Catlins which one of my friends had told me about when she was studying down at Otago. Brilliant. We went to McLean Falls, a lighthouse, Kaka Point, Porpoise Bay, Lake Wilkie, and to see a petrified fossilized forest. Got to see sealions, little penguins and a varying assortment of seabirds. I need to go back some other time and hire a car so I can stop wherever I want. Found out some of my ancestors settled in southland at a little place called Tapanui, just north of Gore, so need to check that out too.

Tongariro Attempt 1

My aunty, friend and I went to Tongariro to do the crossing. Unfortunately we were turned back a quarter of the way into it due to my aunty hurting her ankle, and also gale force wind conditions further up the mountain. It was misty and horrible, but we still had a great time. Will be returning later to attempt to finish the hike.

Festival of Lights

Every year in New Plymouth they have a Festival of Lights at this huge park near the CBD. My flatmate had heard good things about it - and we were not disappointed. It was brilliant. So colourful and all lit up. The only thing better would have been to go paddling on one of the little canoes they had, but there was quite a queue the night we were there so I ended up not going.