I didn't realize I had a devoted fan club out there ... miss 2 days and you all think I've forgotten you! Never - I just ditched you for the sun!

With Friday being Waitangi Day, we took advantage by renting a car and getting out of the city for a bit. We headed to the Coromandel Peninsula which is east of Auckland. Friday was again a dreary day so we took the scenic route around the coast and through the towns of the peninsula. The region used to be a gold mining area but has since seen a dwindling population and an economy built on tourism. It had quaint towns with all the shops along one street and a definite lack of main stream stores. The towns are all situated around the coast while the inner peninsula is dense forest. The forests are all filled with palm trees and tropical looking trees. (I need a my esteemed colleague here to learn me all about the plants and trees).

We went off the beaten path to see the "large kauri" - a 1200 year old tree that is 9m in girth and like really really tall. The forests used to be filled with these, but now there are only a limited number left in the country. The one we saw is only the 15th largest on the peninsula. I'm assuming it must be the easiest one to get to--a small climb up 198 muddy steps--and that's why it's the famous one.

After playtime in the forest we continued driving to find some of the most spectacular views I have ever seen. Mountain ranges and forests and bright orange and red dirt (we Islanders are fooling ourselves to think that our dirt is red). The roads were windy ... as in better than a roller coaster windy, pull over before I get sick windy. Once we hit the east coast of the peninsula we realized we had found where Kiwis go to play. The homes were these incredible beach houses that resembled the Hollywood homes of the stars and were set high up in the hills overlooking small little beach towns. Curious as to who could own these mansions, we learned that they are inhabited primarily by retirees who move to the beach as soon as they finish their career. Kiwis refer to beach houses as a "bach" and it's everyone's goal to have one. So, Mom, what does that mean for you?

We kept trucking along, visiting the Hot Water Beach where 2 hours before and after low tide you can dig a hole in the sand that will fill with water hot enough to be a hot tub or spa. Unfortunately the tide schedule wasn't on our side and, with no available accommodations nearby, we had to keep driving. Tairua it was - a charming beachside town facing a mountain that had houses built all up the side of it. (I know much of this won't make sense until I show some pictures - I promise to post some soon. In the meantime, just trust me that it's pretty. Really pretty).

Saturday, glorious Saturday. Finally, a beautiful hot sunny day had come our way and we were conveniently situated 20 minutes from one of the best beaches on the North Island - Whangemata. February 7 and I was sprawled out on a beach. Life is good. The waves were huge (better than Thunder Cove) and Sherilyn has taken up the professional sport of waveboarding so we had a blast! We had strong sunscreen and reapplied repeatedly, but later learned that the UV rating for the day had been throw-raw-meat-outside-and-call-it-a-barbeque high. I am a woman in pain. Lester the Lobster has got nothing on me. It turns out that just as important as applying sunscreen is evenly applying sunscreen. In the meantime I have burnt patches appearing sporadically throughout and thoroughly burnt underarms, upper lip and ear lobes. The simple act of blinking hurts. So anyways, turns out that little hole in the ozone everyone talks about is right over NZ! Imagine that!

So, whimpering in pain today, I sent the others to the beach and am headed to the art gallery. Oh - but not until I tell you about last night! We got back in time to get to the Asian Lantern Festival (in celebration of the Chinese New Year) at dusk. It's in a large park in the city centre and featured large "lanterns" - life size art works made of a silk/nylon on a metal frame and lit up from the inside. They looked like stained glass, but again, pictures will help. There was a dragon, pandas, lambs, swans, a year of the monkey plus more and they where beautiful and colorful. The park was lit by small lanterns strung around and hanging from trees. There were Asian dancers and other performers and food... so much good food! They were selling small lanterns which were lit by a candle for $2 each. As Sherilyn & I went to get one, the guy told us that they were $1 if he had to make them but free if we just took them as is. He showed us how to make one, handed us 6 and said have a good night! So if anyone is in need of a miniature Asian lantern, I'm your woman!

Hope this super long one makes up for my slack...