12 November

With a heavy heart, we said goodbye to everyone after 2.5 days. We continued towards East Cape - we passed by the former ranch where I stayed, which now belongs to someone else - strange.

The drive around East Cape was beautiful with stunning views and the weather improved. Now we headed towards Coromandel Peninsula to Hot Water Beach. We arrived at the campsite in the evening and after dinner, we went to the beach in the dark to dig a hot pool / possible 2 hours before and after low tide.

We met 2 guys - Ron and Noa from Israel. They had saved up money for this trip for over 3 years during their mandatory military service - such a trip takes on a whole different meaning.

The two had beer with them and the four of us enjoyed a cold beer in a natural hot pool on the beach of the Pacific with a few stars above us (unfortunately a bit cloudy) and thanks to the darkness, we felt like we were the only ones on the beach - what a unique experience.