Hahei to Tairua

Cycling from Hahei to Tairua via the Link road and Hot Water Beach road to then get back on the highway 25 is unbelievable. There is a big hill to climb just before entering Tairua but the scenery before that is just stunning. We had the Coromandel mountains with the Pinnacles at the horizon during the whole ride and we simply forgot we were cycling. Once we got on the highway it didn´t take long before the road started ascending. At first it is a very gradual climb but soon the gradient got nasty and in the heat we were struggling to get to the top.

The highway goes through the Coromandel Forest Park which provides for the perfect background of lush green forest. We stopped what we thought was the top but we still had quite a bit to go. In what I can only describe as an improvised car park, we thought to have a quick lunch when a man called Pete appeared from out of the forest. A jolly Londoner that had been living in New Zealand for the past 30 years. The modern world rat race had sent him into a deap and dark depression but he had managed to overcome these horrible times and now he was living a new life in Tairua. His new life, however, was tainted in a spectrum of reborn signs and visionary dreams that told him how to live, what to do and write. He seemed to me like the typical bloke that would not hurt a fly but I tend to avoid spending time with people who go on and on about their life and how we all could live without money and fear. Their presence drains all energy out of me. He offered to stay at his place but I did not feel like talking all night about his visions. He also told us we should cycle barefoot so as to allow the earth´s energy to flow freely. Is this guy out of touch or what. Did he not see the sharp teeth on my pedals? What kind of energy am I going to get from flesh wounds on the bottom of my feet? Anyway, it´s just anecdote and if Pete is reading this, no offence my friend, I just didn´t feel you.

After this brief encounter with the Holy Spirit, we made our way to the other side of the mountain and the scenery is just...well...this must be Coromandel at its best. Forest coloured with all sorts of green in every direction and the ocean at the horizon. A clear blue sky and we are smiling a big smile when we cruise downhill into Tairua.

We follow the motorcamp signs but we can´t find it. We ask a man on the street for the campsite and he tells us it has been closed down. A night at Hotel Self Proclaimed Jezus seems inevitable but the friendly man offers us his beach house for the night! We cannot believe it. Just a minute ago we were without accommodation and the next we find ourselves in a huge beachfront villa. Vanessa and I take Ella for a walk into town where we do our shopping for the evening. Tairua is a very cosy little town with a relaxed atmosphere. The ocean on one side, the town is set in a huge bay. There is a great playground where Ella is having the time of her life. A group of boys are jumping from the bridge into the bay.
That evening we have dinner in a real house, on the terrace with spectacular views over the ocean and tears in our eyes. It simply does not get any better than this. Vanessa, Ella and I would like to thank our friends in Tairua for their hospitality and friendship. We hope to return the favour one day in Barcelona!