Since the boys are off from school for two weeks between terms, Allie thought a quick three-day holiday might be fun. This time of year is thought of here as the time for the last hurrahs of the summer season. Before long, both the temperatures and plenty of rain will be falling and holidays will be put on hold until spring returns about October. As it turned out, the weather was almost perfect for us. We were able to maximize our time out of doors. I took almost 500 pictures. Thank goodness I don't have to buy film anymore.
Allie planned to drive the first day to Thames, then up to Coromandel Town, and finally to Whitianga (The Maori -Wh- sounds like our -f-), where we would stay. We would take our time as she drove and do a bit of sight-seeing. In 1867, gold was discovered in the area and Thames became a boom-town. We'd have to drive around town a little and look at 'neat old buildings'. Then, we'd be following the highway up the inside edge of the peninsula so we'd be able to admire the coastline. The post for the first day of our journey will end when we get to the house that Allie rented for us in Whitianga.
Since my intention continues to be to show you what I (we) see here in Aotearoa, I'd like to invite you to come along on our holiday. There will probably be a number of installments.
The assay house must have been an important place in a gold mining boom town. This is now a tea-house.
Almost sounds like our wild west doesn't it? A saloon downstairs and the Star and Garter Hotel upstairs.
The Firth of Thames, just outside Thames.
Jeanne is admiring the zillions of shells.
We hug the coastline for quite a ways.
And then begin climbing into the hills a bit. That is looking west across the Firth.
We are now descending to a famous (in NZ anyway) area. This is one of the places where the Coromandel oysters and green-lipped mussels come from.
Although we had had a bite in Thames, we just HAD to sample a few delacacies here.
A display of the floats and ropes that provide an anchor for the growing shellfish.
All hands explored the family-friendly outdoor dining areas. Not surprisingly, a nautical theme predominated.
Allie chose some very fresh oysters on the half shell.
A little hot sauce was added.
This is a paua (abalone) fritter.
To the left of the fries is the the flounder-on-a-spear that I wanted to sample. The boys tried some, and enjoyed the fries of course, but passed on the 'weird stuff.'
The seagulls were very polite. Ever watchful, and clearly hopeful, they kept their distance.
We've left the coast now and are crossing through the
Coromandel Range. The forests ahead are single-species I noticed. I did some research before putting up this photo and I believe they're radiata pine.
Here we are. That's our holiday home, a short block from Buffalo Beach on Mercury Street.
Amiri approaches the deck and sees the name, Paradise, displayed on the wall. It really did turn out to be everything we hoped for and more.
'A job well done.' Allie is pleased. Not only is the house she found and rented Way better than two hotel rooms would have been, it is much cheaper besides. Three bedrooms, two baths, full kitchen, dining room, lounge, washing machine, outdoor shower (for de-salting), clothes line, and two decks make up this dream spot.
The seagulls were very polite. Ever watchful, and clearly hopeful, they kept their distance.
Coromandel Range. The forests ahead are single-species I noticed. I did some research before putting up this photo and I believe they're radiata pine.
Amiri immediately settled in with a book he found in a well-filled bookcase. Arram's stuffed friend 'Terry' lies on the other bed.
That evening, we'd turn on the tube for a while.
Our hosts even dropped off a new tank of propane in case we wanted to grill.
This is a very comfortable place. Too bad we only have three nights... djf
The fish choices look heavenly. I sure wish I could close my eyes, click my heels and be transported there to enjoy your world with you. I just need to by-pass 31 hours of travel torture to get there. This is the next best thing to being there. Congratulations to Allie on a great find on the house. It looks great. Allie is looking her beautiful self and happy in the pictures. The boys get bigger every time I see them. I loved the picture of Jeanne also with the shells. Looking forward to future blogs on your adventure. McKenzie
ReplyDeleteAs I enjoyed an oyster that day, I thought of those magnificent ones you served me on, I think, my first visit to your home. I told Jeanne about them again.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with you about the trip. It is just too long. Those 12 to 13 hours over the Pacific get to be painful, even without back problems to contend with. And then you're in a place that is 16 to 18 hours out of sinc with your own time. It's really hard work to travel so far.
I sure enjoy sharing our adventures 'down under down under' and will try to do a good job with the posts.
Thanks for your thorough coverage of all aspects of this new adventure. I love the scenery, seeing the area and food and of course, like pix of everyone, but never see you!
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the benefits of holding the camera. I'll try to get into one now and then, but generally, I avoid the camera's gaze.
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