New Zealand - North Island - Hot Water Beach & Catheral Cove

Located at the east of of North Island, Hot Water Beach & Catheral Cove in Coromandel unveil an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. The night before my adventure to the attractions, I stayed at YHA backpackers' hostel at Whitianga. This is a hostel with great sea view, kayaking and ping pong game facility. Along our journey to Catheral Cove, there was a sign indicating best spot to view sunrise but argh...I was too late. The sun was already up on the sky!

There are still aplenty stuffs to be seen and do though. Do check out the tides at the hostel before you depart to Hot Water Beach. There are prime time when tides are low and you can dig a hole at the beach and pamper yourself in it as warm water surfaces. It is usually in the evening and early morning.

I parked my car and took almost an hour's hike to the Catheral Cove. I took a cool picture with the Cove as the background, and it was exactly the same as featured on many travel websites. Check it out below!

New Zealand - North Island - Rotorua

Land where the famous The Lord of The Ring movie was made, the country is indeed up to its name for sceneries.

Rotorua is one of the geothermal hotspots in Northern Island of New Zealand. I arrived at Auckland airport and in 4 hours' drive, I can see signs guiding to Rotorua and smokes coming out from left and right of the road welcoming me. Upon getting down from my car, there is a strong sulphuric smell which I can barely tolerate. But after a while, that had become nothing and replaced by my enthusiasm to explore the area. There was boiling muds everywhere in the middle of the Rotorua city.

A must-visit place in Rotorua is Wai-O-Tapu. With entrance fee of NZD25 per person, experience the wonder of geysers in a journey of 2 hours hike! Main attraction in Wai-O-Tapu is Lady's Knox Geyser which erupts daily at 10.15am. If you arrive Wai-O-Tapu later of the day and miss the Lady's Knox Geyser, just keep the entrance ticket and come back the next day for that.