15 March 2018, Thursday.
A beautiful morning at Huntington House. We packed our luggage and then had our breakfast in the garden again.
Loaded up our luggage …. and bid good bye to very friendly Jilly and Murray.
A picture of wonderful Huntington House before we drove on to Hot Water Beach.
It was long drive to Hot water beach, with the later driveway stretching through rough terrain.
Approaching Hot water beach.
After parked our car, we dropped by the Hot Water Beach Cafe to rent a spade.
A little understanding about Hot Water Beach. We had two hours fun time before the tides move in.
well prepared…
A long walk to Hot Water Beach…
Approaching…
Crowded ….
People digging for hot water.
A vain attempt by a very hardworking boy
We tried to take short cut by exploring spot that where dug…. so sorry cold water !
OMG….. I have to do all the digging.
While I am digging for Hot water….
Hot water emerged after all the digging.
The last spade load
Done….
After all the hardship…
Good Bye Hot Water Beach…
Crossing a quiet stream to car park…
We made a detour to Macadamia Orchard while on our way to Cathedral Cove.
At the entrance counter
Met the very friendly owner…
We were told Macadamia was the second hardest nut to crack. A demonstration on cracking nut.
** the hardest being Human nut head.
The lady owner told us her Orchard have 1000 Macadamia trees and some walnut trees.
Zoom in on Macadamia…
Walnut trees.
Exploring Macadamia Orchard on this vehicle.
Arriving at Cathedral Cove…. it is at the edge of cliff and Cathedral Cove is right below.
Look out from the edge of cliff.
There is no parking space for normal car (only for tour bus) and we had to find alternative route to Cathedral Cove. Arriving at Hahei Beach.
Good news ! we could use water taxi. It is a little expensive.
Arrival of water Taxi. Passenger disembarked.
Departing Hahei Beach…
The boat trip last around 10 minutes…. approaching Cathedral Cove.
Very clear water….(look very similar to Abel Tasman National Park)
On the Cathedral Cove beach… the iconic Cave.
The cliff wall on opposite side – are dotted by tiny cave.
Entering the cave
Picture at the cave entrance
Notice the lumpy sand…
Silhouette picture
on one edge of the cave wall…
the bay outside the cave
This stony island stands out like pedestal.
Cool and relax at the sand beach as we head for the cliff wall.
Thick Vegetation hanging down from the cliff.
Yes…. we could see few smaller cave at the foot of the cliff.
trying to occupy one of the cave…
A bare section of the cliff, suitable for rock climbing…
Rock climbing experience…
Happily scaling height
Enough of fun …. it was time to catch the return water taxi. While waiting for water taxi… saw the starting of canoe program.
Instructors dispatching canoe
getting Canoe out unaided…
Our Picture at Cathedral Cove
Arrival of water Taxi
embarking…
Back to Hahei Beach…
A 3 hours drive to Auckland and it was dark when we checked in at iHoliday. Had dinner at Tok Tok…. good Asian delights.
End of Day 6 :
We had very enjoyable time at Hot Water Beach, a rare experience where we dig for hot water. Our first visit to Macadamia Farm and wonderful time at Cathedral Cove. We thought it was a great detour to Hahei, very worth it even though the route is a little too difficult.
Return to : NZ North Island Day 5
Continue to : NZ North Island Day 7.
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