We continued our tour of the North Island, traveling south of Auckland and to the east to the Coromandel Pennisula, a favorite place for New Zealanders to spend the holidays. Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy and rainy so we probably didn't appreciate it as much as we should have. One day, we hiked in the rain to a nice bay called Cathedral Cove.

Cathedral Cove, Coromandel Peninsula

We spent few days in Rotorua where there are many areas of thermal activity. One site we visited was called Hell's Gate because of the many pools of bubbling mud or water and steam vents set among a rocky terrain.

Hell'sGate, Rotorua

We also rode around the surrounding area and saw pretty lakes and hilly sheep farms.

"Sittin' on the dock of the bay"

Campsite Visitor

On Christmas Day, we were riding through the town of Whakatane and noticed that a church service was about to begin so we pulled in. We met a couple, Alan and Adeline, who invited to spend Christmas with them. We went to dinner at their friends house and had a tour of the city and watched the sun set from a hill overlooking the city and the Pacific Ocean. It turned out to be a very nice Christmas.

Whakatane

The East Cape was our next destination. So far, it is the loveliest part of New Zealand which is saying alot. The road hugs the Pacific Coast with many spectacular views of the water on your left and the forest covered mountains on the right. We had several days of sunshine and some great hiking.

East Cape road

Cook's Cove, East Cape where Captain James Cook landed in 1769

The Kiwis have been so hospitable to us. Even in the campground, we were invited to the tent next door for dinner.

We are currently making our way south to Wellington to catch the ferry over to the South Island. The weather has been unseasonably cold, but everyone keeps promising us that it will get warmer soon.