It all started with a random suggestion. And if my memory doesn't fail me, from my first trip to NZ. It was winter season then and didn't make sense to travel to the beach. Last summer, the road trip finally materialised!
I'm usually the navigator while the boyfriend drives, though at times we both get frustrated because the GPS lags and he ends up going the wrong way. But thankfully for us, i'm able to read maps lol (so much for the stereotype that women can't read maps).
The drive was a scenic one, next to the sea...
But the roads were so winding and narrow. i got really scared whenever the car accelerated.
Our first stop was the Driving Creek Railway. We were late by 5 minutes but the lady was nice enough to let us on for the next slot.
While waiting, we chilled out at the Driving Creek Cafe nearby.
It looks so quaint, especially with all the second hand books. The boyfriend was obviously uninterested in them because it was the day DayZ was released and he kept complaining to me that he wanted to play it. Rawr.
It was a super hot day that day and to cool ourselves, we shared a megachoc! Thick, yummy milkshake. *slurp*
We went back to the railway to board our train and i clumsily knocked my head while stepping up >.<
We sat on the elevated seats and boy, the train was packed.
At Driving Creek Railway's "Eiffel Tower", the name that confused me with the real Eiffel Tower in Paris. Still, i'm amazed by how one man can single-handedly build all these himself, with no engineering background.
Anyway, i had originally planned to take Route 309 from Coromandel to Whitianga but we were so tired from the heat that we went straight to The Lost Spring.
The lobby area with a very holiday feel. We got the 1 hour geo-thermal pool pass but the staff extended our stay, which was really nice of them! Unlike Rotorua's Polynesian Spa, TLS's concept is more natural and outdoors. i really love their toilets because it's so clean. They even have hair straighteners and lotions.
I still reckon, visiting a geo-thermal pool in winter is a better idea as i was easily dehydrated in the hot water with the hot sun beating down on me. Still, it was worth the experience!
After that, we drove back to Thames where we had booked a night's stay at Cotswold Cottage.
We reached at 6 pm and our friendly hosts came out to welcome us by name. They were sensitive to our needs and gave us a jug of iced water to cool off the heat. i liked the place immediately as the view was picturesque.
My colleague commented that i look like i'm sitting outside an asylum in this picture. HAHA. It actually does look a little!
A panorama view from our room.
Anyway, we were starving when we reached as we didn't have proper lunch and asked our host for recommendations. Having dinner at GBD at Junction Hotel was the best decision as we totally loved the food.
We had free tap beers and possibly, the best mussels! One does not leave Coromandel without trying their mussels.
Their pork belly was good but tasted more like chinese roast pork. Since the calories were shared between the two of us, i guess i didn't feel that bad, hehe.
So, back at the cottage, we left our door open to let the cool breeze in and were surprised by a furry visitor.
The hosts' cat! Her fur was really nice and she wanted to jump out from the bathroom window, which was locked. As if wanting to hide her silliness, she strutted off quickly through the door. The next morning when we woke up for breakfast, she was nowhere to be seen.
Our B&B breakfast...
I really love the kiwi breakfast that was cooked by our hosts! The taste was comparable to any local cafe and a good breakfast makes me happy :)
After checking out, we specially went to the L&P cafe in Paeroa after watching 'The Kitchen Job'.
L&P is my favourite drink in NZ!
The last stop of our road trip was Mount Maunganui. i would have climbed Mount Maunganui if i wore proper shoes and not slippers but nonetheless, it was a great day at the beach.
The skies were rather gloomy at first but became very hot. As it was an impromptu decision to visit the beach, i didn't pack my beachy stuff for the road trip. Boo.
Our happy food by the beach at Deckchair Cafe...
Last meal from our road trip before going back...
The rustic way. Very different feel from the first day.
It was fun talking in the car and singing to the radio songs while we were driving. A couple that bonds well, stays together. Thank you for the long-haul driving darling! :)
