Coromandel Town

These views of Cathedral Cove would have been spectacular had we had some sun, but it was still worth the 40 minute hike down and back up. We had cloudy weather all day with a cool breeze, but no rain.

Cathedral Cove is on the east side of the Coromandel Peninsula, and after taking the little ferry across to Whitianga this morning (it runs continuously and takes 5 minutes each way), we returned to Cooks Cove and ate a picnic lunch. The gulls are almost as agressive as the ducks on the Queen Charlotte Track. It's fun to watch the alpha-male chase all the smaller ones away at the expense of getting any bread crumbs. There's a great big brown gull lurking around who never makes a fuss but just elbows in at the last minute and grabs any hand-outs. The little guy does all the squaking and posturing and never cashes in.

We are staying in Coromandel Town on the west side of the peninsula tonight after crossing over the mountain range, up and down a highway that matches any the mountain roads in Jackon County, NC have to offer. Again, incredible views, almost to Auckland. Our new motel is lovcly, with a great balcony looking out over the harbour and oyster farms. We expect fresh oysters for supper! This motel, The Harbour View, is a great one, and I was lucky to find it on the internet at the last minute this morning. Such nice "hosts," the owners, just as we have found at so many places we have stayed. They really treat you as their special guests.

Hope we'll stay here tomorrow night, too. There's lots to do in this area before we fly out on Friday night. Lots of oysters, mussels, and scallops to eat, too.