Taupo to Hahei via Auckland took nearly 10 hours by bus. By the time we got to Hahei, it was already 12 noon. We had been up since 1 am and with half a day left, we preferred to go dig a spa pool at Hot Water Beach but had missed the low tide so we went to Cathedral Cove that day. I couldn't and didn't really enjoy the crowded beach in this below average weather with an agonising pain in my left foot.



My swollen ankle and Te Hoho rock


He went for a swim



It was cloudy and there were showers on the way back. I limped through the 1.5 hours walk, ignoring the looks from passersby along the way. A Chinese couple stopped to give us a ride downhill; they said they saw us on the track and decided to turn back when they saw I was still having difficulty walking back.


These lifted my dampened spirits


He cooked pasta for dinner and massaged my feet. Left foot was swollen and right foot sore from limping. Will we make it to Hot Water Beach tomorrow?


It rained quite heavily during the night. I slept for around 13 hours waking up twice in between by nature's call. Rain eased at around 10, grabbed a spade and took the 10.30 am shuttle to Hot Water Beach.


It was super crowded and it looks like all the nice spots had already been uncovered and fully occupied.


Didn't feel like squeezing with half naked bodies and it started to drizzle again so we didn't stay for long


Sun popped out after we returned to Tatahi Lodge. More comfortable staying here than Rainbow Lodge. Lied down by the window, watched some tv and went out to cycle for a short while. On the last night we shared the room with two other Indians; one of them had thunder snores! RS couldn't stand it and went to shake the man's bed lol.