The almost freezing 'hot water beach'

We set off early to catch our bus to whitianga. It was a beautiful drive from Auckland to Whitianga with coastal and mountain views all the way. There were a few too many bends at times, making for a slightly motion sicky journey but we made friends with Phil, the bus driver and he advised us to sit at the front and let him know if we needed any fresh air! We were okay in the end! 

#travellinglight

We have a lot of luggage, what with our Vanuatu placement clothes, our summery Pacific island outfits and our thermals for he South Island. This makes for a cumbersome journey, lugging massive backpacks around. Ive already lost one pair of flip flops to this problem. Hopefully I won't drop any more clothes around New Zealand! 

We made it to Whitianga at around 12, the lady who checked us in was lovely, although she sounded more unhealthy than anyone we've seen in the last 6 weeks with a cough to rival vanuatu pneumonia! We were worried we wouldn't make it to the hot water beach (our reason for coming to Whitianga) as it very much depends on the tide. We had an hour and a half to make it there and it was a 15km walk , with no quick options to cycle the lady advised we tried to hitchhike. We were reassured this was the norm here as many of the people driving own other accommodations in the area. We didn't want to miss our opportunity so started walking to the ferry. 

3 car journeys later with 2 b&b owners and a surfer we made it to the hot water beach just in time. However, it was a little underwhelming. There was a lot of swell, no hot water to be found anywhere and a definite chilly wind blowing in off the coast. We donned our shorts and got digging. 

Amy digging our 'pool'

Found some water.......freezing cold!

Carried on digging (with the $20 deposit spade) 

It was not hot.. At all

These people also looked confused, and underwhelmed 

Really nice views though

Fun making A's on the beach. 

Confused.com

We decided to sit and enjoy the sun for a whole but to head back before it started to get dark so that we would be able to do some successful hitchhiking 

Gorgeous view from the beach nevertheless

We embarked on our mission home, first being picked up by a farmer who lived near the first intersection. He dropped us off and advised us to walk for a bit in the hope someone would pick us up at the next intersection. Which to our horror was 5km away, we put our thumbs up to every person who drove past, feeling less hopeful when range rovers and audi's  zoomed along. After about twenty minutes of hallucinating the sound of cars down the road a friendly looking. Chap drove past but laughed at us as he went by. We started mumbling abuse at how rude he was without noticing he was turning round up ahead to come back and get us. He only drove us about 1km but we were grateful, and slightly confused as to why he'd have turned round. Happy nonetheless to have another lift

Finally we were picked up by a kiwi lady who had done her teacher training in the 70s in Nottingham. She drove us all the way to the ferry and explained about her past 49 years living in NZ. What a small world, we thought, and we're very grateful to be back where we started. We did a track up to some look out points over Whitianga bay which was spectacular 

The view from the lookout

Amy and her new best friend (the spade!)

We went home to make some pesto pasta and have some milkybar chocolate and diet coke. We watched a couple of films with two kiwi ladies and headed for an early night.

The next day we were to get a bus at 12. In true Amy and Alex style we didn't feel we could stay in so we showered had our free breakfast and headed out for a walk. We looked around the marina at boats we can probably never afford 

At the marina

The heavens opened sadly and we were forced to return to the hostel, we watched another film and had lunch and a hot chocolate before boarding another bus to Tauranga. 

View from the kitchen at or Tauranga hostel.