Only in New Zealand, only at Hot Water Beach: Build your own hot water pool with a small shovel. But not every spot works. We had dug a beautiful little pool for ourselves, it just wasn´t hot. So we retried a couple of meters to the left and voilà! Our own little spa. Oh, and make sure you come during low-tide, otherwise you can´t reach the hot spots. And be there early enough, too, otherwise all the good spots are taken!
Hot Water Beach, Coromandel Peninsula
Stunning day trip with Heather´s uncle Paul and family including Leo, the dog! First a brief stop at the green and blue lake, then on to the geothermal valley in Rotorua with the Pohutu Geysir and many background infos on the Maori culture. An extra-spoil for the kids: ice-cream, yeah. When we were back home, we not only had gone once around Lake Rotorua, we still had enough energy to climb up Mt Manganui in Tauranga to witness a sublime sunset. Suggest you look at the pictures! Not enough however, the evening was closed by a great fish babotie and excellent wines. Thanks Paul, Lisa, Lydia, Eden and Leo! Not to mention your hospitality of hosting us for a couple of nights at your wonderful home!
Pohutu Geyser, largest in the southern hemisphere, geothermal valley, Rotorua
