Grace's "There and Back Again" DAY 8

Hannah read about the tallest waterfall on North Island - Wairere Falls, measuring at 153 meters (502 feet) in the Lonely Plant Guide. It was about 10 mins from where we camped. Thus, we decided to check it our first thing in the morning. It was a long, strenuous hike but the view of the water fall is great. The trail was also interesting, with huge rocks on the path, tons of huge silver and black ferns etc.

Hannah and Grace found many "fairy falls" and may or may not have sprinkled themselves with the waters.

With another 45 mins of hiking, we could have climbed to the top of the falls
but we were still too tired and sore to consider it

On the road again!.... The plan was to drive to the Coromandel Peninsuls, head up the east coast to Coromandel town, camp near there, then spend tomorrow morning enjoying the west coast, and drive back to Auckland in the afternoon. On the way, we stopped by Paeroa, and Hannah insisted that we need to do the cheezy tourist thing of posing in front of the huge L&P bottle and buying L&P drinks. The face of the cashier was priceless when Hannah and Grace was checking out with ONLY the Paeroa drinks (They told me about it...I strategically stationed myself in the van).

The weather was VERY warm, but we really wanted to show Grace Karangahake Gorge and visit the abandoned gold mines. We even snuck inside the pump room using a trick we learned from Hannah's dad when he was there. Spectacular views!

This is what happens when you flash people in the face after being in pitch black.

Stopped at Cathedral Cove as well. Hannah and Grace tried unsuccessfully to run through the arch to reach Narnia.... maybe the magic wasn't there that day. There was just way too many tourists!

After visiting the Cathedral Cove, it was getting late. We started driving towards Coromandel hoping to find a campsite, but it proved to be a difficult task. There were people everywhere. Wind gust also started to pick up, and it got quite difficult to drive along the one-lane road, which is also along the cliff. Along the way, Grace also got freaked out by this "perfect" town - Whitianga, which Hannah commented resembles the town "Celebration" in Florida...  Finally, we were tired and gave in.We camped in an over-priced campervan park in Kuaotunu. We got a crappy spot right in the middle of everyone.... a creepy guy winked at Grace, kids running through the place we parked, young girls screaming in the bathroom... was not a good experience. Luckily, we had beer :)