Today’s agenda includes exploring Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach in New Zealand. I awoke at approximately 9:30 am and promptly departed from the hostel. Tairua, the quaint town I currently found myself in, boasted a few shops and a petite supermarket Foursquare.
I purchased croissants, fudge, and some fruit. Without delay, I hit the road as my schedule was tight. I had a mere two hours to explore before making my way to Auckland.
Coastal Exploration: Cathedral Cove and Beyond
Twenty minutes later, I reached the Cathedral Cove car park, situated 15 kilometers north of Tairua. The beauty of the area captivated me. After parking the car and checking the sign, I returned to my car to grab two cokes and my fudge, embarking on a 45-minute hike toward Cathedral Cove. The trail did not disappoint, offering breathtaking views of the coastline.
Cathedral Cove is a naturally formed archway in a limestone cliff. To enhance its splendor, another rock arch named Te Hoho is positioned adjacent to it, adding to its beauty.
The sun’s warmth enveloped me, and I reveled in it. Surprisingly, I didn’t require my sweater at all. After a brisk 30-minute walk, I reached the beach—an absolute delight! I snapped some photos of the cave to my left and then settled down on the sandy shore, regretting not bringing a towel. This moment was precisely what I needed after the past few weeks.
The limestone cliffs, the Te Hoho rock arch, the pristine beaches, and the vast ocean evoked memories of my time at the Twelve Apostles in Australia. However, the solitude here was striking, with few people around, allowing me to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of nature all to myself.
Hot Water Beach Adventure: Sand, Springs, and Seaside
Following that, I headed towards Hot Water Beach, merely 6 kilometers from Cathedral Cove. This beach held a unique charm—you could dig a hole in the sand, and it would fill up with warm, soothing water. Hot springs adorned the beach, and if the water became too warm, you could cool off by simply running into the adjacent ocean. I decided not to try it out. Upon parking, I realized it was a ‘pay and display’ area, but with the entire car park empty, I chose not to pay.
Car Decluttering and Charitable Contributions
I decided to declutter my car, eliminating about 2 kilograms of unnecessary papers (folders, maps, etc.). I also disposed of some unused towels and dishwashing soap. After putting some clothes in my backpack, I deferred the decision on what to discard until later. Following a visit to the public toilets, I hit the road.
The journey to Auckland was approximately 2 hours. I refueled along the way and reached Auckland around 4:30 pm. Surprisingly, my GPS began working again when I was 20 kilometers from Auckland. I located Wicked Campers and headed there. Subsequently, I drove to Mount Eden, where a Salvation Army family store was situated. Feeling charitable, I donated some items, including my one-year-old 200-euro winter coat, three pillows, a sleeping bag, a pair of pants, and a cap. Since I was heading to a warmer destination next Wednesday, I figured I wouldn’t be needing these anymore.
Hostel Life in the Heart of Auckland and Evening Delights
In the vicinity of Mount Eden, I discovered a hostel called Oaklands Lodge. Despite the crowd, it proved to be a satisfactory hostel. The room assigned to me was shared with another occupant—a friendly middle-aged hippie from Germany.
In the evening, I strolled around the neighborhood close to the hostel and noticed a sign advertising a 7-dollar pizza deal. I decided to dine at the Molten Cafe, where I enjoyed three beers and a fantastic pizza. The staff was exceptional, prompting me to leave a 7-dollar tip on my 33-dollar bill. The beer selection included an Italian one, a New Zealand one, and, of course, a Dutch Heineken beer.
Pre-Flight Preparations: Countdown to Wednesday’s Departure
At around 8 pm, I returned to the hostel, conveniently located just around the corner. I spent some additional time writing before heading to bed around 10 pm. While in bed, I listened to music and engaged in conversations on WhatsApp and Facebook. It wasn’t until midnight that I finally called it a night. The upcoming day held a multitude of final tasks for me to tackle before my flight scheduled for Wednesday, just two days away.
