Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel Peninsula was amazing. Just gorgeous. People have asked me so many times what my favorite spot in New Zealand was, but I just can't commit to any one place. They were all so unique and impressive. This was definitely one of my favorites on the North Island though. So untouched.

Hot Water Beach

So this beach sits on top of an underground hot springs. It looks like any other beach during high tide, but when it's low tide it is packed with people, shovels and random hot pools created in the sand. When the tide goes out you walk along the sand and find a "hot spot" then you dig your little hot pool and relax....sort of. Like I said it's super crowded.

We were super skeptical at first and told the kids not to get their hopes up because it might not actually be hot, but it totally was. In fact, in some places the water was so hot it burned my feet. The kids loved it and still talk about going back there. Definitely a unique to New Zealand thing. (Such a cool place. I didn't take my camera for the actual "hot water" experience. I'm super bummed, but it wasn't worth the risk of it getting damaged.) If you want to see some images of what the pools look like go here. The really are interesting.

Katie's "New Zealand Snowman"...loved it!!

The Pōhutukawa Tree

Also known as the New Zealand "Christmas tree" because they bloom right around Christmas time. These trees are breathtaking and smell wonderful. The contrast of the red against the blue ocean is just amazing. This peninsula is famous for them. We lucked out to be there when they were in full bloom just a week and a half before Christmas.




Cathedral Cove

So Beautiful!! This whole area reminded us of the Oregon Coast. It was so untouched. We kept commenting on how different it would have been had it been in the states.That's one thing I love about New Zealand is how much land is still accessible to anyone. All the breathtaking coastline isn't bought up by people and hotels. It is so refreshing.