Heading to Coromandel

After a few absolutely fantastic days in Opotiki at Bob and Meg’s beautiful place, we are headed north for about a week on the Coromandel Peninsula. Bob and Meg have so much going on at their place. We literally ate off the land for 4 days. They have so many plum trees and banana palms that they are just gifting bags of fruit to anyone who can take them. Bob has drying racks everywhere and still the fresh stuff is more than abundant. They live on a bluff that looks over a gigantic harbor. We paddled one day and took paddle boards out on another afternoon. Apparently I had a huge manta following my SUP, but I was too scared to turn and look at it. My balance is still a bit tenuous on the SUP. What fun we had. 

Paula and Bob with bananas from Bob’s trees

Deb paddle boarding in the harbor

Marty’s favorite view from Bob/Meg’s house. 

One of the days Marty and I did a little hike which included a walk up a hill to the site of an Māori pa. My understanding is that these were fortified settlement sites. The views from the top were spectacular.

Tonight we are camping for the first time this trip. We had to remember how to set up our tent since this is only the second time we’ve used it. Weather is good so we will hopefully have a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow the adventure continues. It will be our first time paddling by our selves. We’ve got some good local knowledge from Aiden. He told us the good places to go and the places that just can’t be missed. We will let you know how it goes.