Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove

Drove up from Rotorua to Hahei yesterday to see the long-awaited Hot Water Beach.  The idea is that you go out to the shore at low tide with a shovel and dig a pit for yourself until you hit the hot water from the geothermal pools underneath.  Your pit fills with hot water, then the waves come in, adding cold water and making a little spa for you right on the beach.  That's the idea, at least.

What actually happened was because of the moon's phase (or something like that), the tide didn't go out quite far enough, meaning that you could dig and dig, but all you were getting was a ton of cold ocean water refilling your hole.  I gave up not long after I started, but plenty of other people gave it a go for longer without much more success.

I did manage to meet some American kids on study abroad in Auckland while I was out at the beach, and we did the whole e-mail exchange thing on the beach before heading back.  Since I have a week in Auckland without much to do, it may be a good connection to have.  Some from Jersey, Philly, Kentucky, and Long Island.  Not bad.

Did a walk and hung out with some girls I met at the Hahei hostel today... we headed out to Cathedral Cove, which was really cool, and now we're in Whitianga for lunch until they drive back to Auckland and I guess I'll spend my last Spaceship night in Thames or Coromandel or somewhere in between.

In other news, yesterday was my one-month anniversary of this little worldwide adventure.  In certain ways, it's hard to believe it's only been a month because I've learned so much about being self-sufficient and solo travelling, but on the other hand, it seems like the month has flown by.  I think of all the fifteen-minute friends I've made at places like Hot Water Beach and at hostels, etc., and I think of how many more I have ahead of me.  Some parts have been tremendously exhilirating and life-affirming, and others have definitely been moments I wish hadn't happened.  It all goes back to the Big Lebowski, I guess.  Sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you.

Last day in the Spaceship.  Been a hell of an adventure.