Coramandel Peninsula

Up at 8:15, showered, packed, checked out and left Paihia about 9:30. Nice morning, sun is shining.

Drove south on SH1 to Whangarei, filled up with petrol, then took SH14 over to Dargaville. Low clouds and fog in the mountains and valleys made for some great pictures. Off and on rain.

Headed south on SH12, then east east to Brynderwyn. Very boring drive, the part from Dargaville to Ruawai anyway. Then south on SH1 to Wellford, then south on SH16, back to Auckland. This was a very nice drive.

passed through Auckland on SH1 to SH2 junction near Pokeno, filling with petrol again. Petrol runs between $1.05/litre and $1.11/litre. Diesel is only about $0.60/litre. With I had a diesel. I've spent about $70 in petrol already. Oh well, it's only money.

At SH25, turned NE into the Coramandel Region, to Thames about 3:30. Stopped and read over Lonely Planet and Let's Go to see if I should stay here. It's pouring rain, no point in stopping here for the night, so continued on up to Coromandel town. Both Thames and Coromandel town were central to the NZ gold rush in mid-late 1800's. Thames, in particular, reminded me of the buildings in the Yukon, all from the late 1800's architecture.

Drove from Thames to Coromandel town. Very nice drive, too bad it's raining so hard with so much low cloud, I couldn't see too much. It runs along the Haukari Gulf, along the seaside cliffs with twisting, winding roads, waterfallls and fast streams coming off the cliffs. Apparently this is one of teh best drives on the North Island.

In Coromandel town, checked in to the Lions Den, recommended by Lets Go. In al od country-type house, with wood fire place. It's great. Owner, Lynda, will even cook a home-cooked meal for ya! I had bought an amazing chocolate cake in Paihia, and I realized when I got to Coromandel, that I left it in teh fridge in Paihia!!! Ugh!

Went to 4 Square (supeprmarket chain) and bought more groceries. Got more groceries now than I did back in Moose Jaw!

Made sausages for supper. At all 9 of them. Watched TV, to bed about 10:30, talked with Dutch people in my room until about 11:45, then to sleep.