After a few days of rest following the long journey from the UK, I set out on a road trip north east up to the Coromandel, just staying for a couple of days with some friends I know there.
In the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle that devastated NZ earlier in February, many of the roads in New Zealand were subject to road closures due to landslips. However, despite these road closures, I was able to make my way up the coast to Whitianga, albeit that it took almost 6 hours of driving in slightly wet and slow conditions.
Spending time there with friends brought back many happy personal memories of the area and the weather was excellent too, which was definitely a bonus.
On Wednesday after two very enjoyable days, I set off down the coast to the Bay of Plenty, calling at Waihi Beach and Bowenstown on the way, both of which were awesome places to visit (and possibly stay) later in my trip.
A couple of days based in Tauranga gave me yet another place that I felt at home with. The stay here included walking to the summit of Mount Maunganui, as well as trips down the coast to Whangamata and Ohope Beach, before travelling across country back to central North Island.
It's fair to say that the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty areas are both stunning in so many ways, and two of my personal favourite places in this country. I would fully recommend them for spending time at, if yuo ever come and visit New Zealand.
A weekend in Rotorua is next on the agenda and I will cover that shortly.
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