A perfect spot to pop the question, she said Yes at Cathedral cove Coramandel.
A perfect spot to pop the question, she said Yes at Cathedral cove Coramandel.
When we first arrived in New Zealand about 6 weeks we ago traveled most of Northland and some of the south north island.
We went down to Mt Manganui which is south of Coramandel but we skipped to go up the peninsula , we figured that we would do a little weekend surf trip once we had settled for work in Auckland later.
Last weekend it was about time to journey to what many people agree on, is the most beautiful place on north island when it comes to cliffs and rock formation by the ocean and the beaches and the waves.
It’s about a 2 hour car ride from Auckland, and the roads are great , almost all the way to Coramandel it’s a highway/freeway.
Once on the Coramandel peninsula it’s starting to get winding roads.
As always in New Zealand everywhere you go even though it’s just a few hours, it’s all so different, I just can’t stop repeating this enough. It’s extraordinary!
We first went up to Thames, but that place had nothing special for what we were seeking.
It once was the second largest town in New Zealand, when the time of gold was in.
The town was initially built during a gold rush with the first major discovery of gold being made on 10 August 1867.
Now it seems to be nothing more than a town, we just went right through it, didn’t feel the vibe so we left. Maybe there are some cool places to visit there?
From there it’s about a 30 minute drive to Whangmata and Hot water beach.
We first went down to Whangamata to check out that area, and of course the famous long lefthander break, Wanga-Bar.
We loved being back in the car, back to camping again!
Sleeping “outside”, cooking food from the little kitchen in the back of the car and meeting other campers.
Such a fun experience!
The weather was great, hot and sunny days and slightly cooler nights.
Sleeping like a baby!
When we arrived there we headed straight for the beach, situated as always here in New Zealand, in a gorgeous bay.
Cliffs on each sides and big rock formations standing tall just outside the beach.
I ran super excited into the water with my surf board.
Paddling through the 3 foot waves with a big smile on my face.
The swell was not big but it was enough for me to get a thrill.
It was high tide so it seemed to be that the actually Wanga-bar did not work, so we surfed the beach break instead.
Later on we checked in at Whangamata Motor camp, 18 NZD/night per person.
A great clean place with great size camping area, not to big.
Close to both the beach and the small town where you can find a few surf shops and some nice cafés and restaurants.
Beautiful place!
We fell a sleep under the cloud free star glimmering sky!
Woke up for an early morning surf session!
Made coffee and porridge and then we set off for the beach.
Way better swell that day and the ocean was way calmer.
A great way to spend a few hours in the water.
Later on we head up to Hot water beach, a 20 minute drive from Whangamata!
Beautiful scenery along the way.
At Hot water beach there is an area with geothermal activity below the sand.
People come here at low tide to dig themselves a pool and let the hot water fill the up from down under.
We did that Rotorua and it’s pretty sweet.
Great for your body to, the water contains a lot of minerals!
But at Hot water beach it was packed with people, I wouldn’t even consider to be a part of that mess!
If you drive towards the end of the beach you find a Top 10 Holiday Park, a parking spot by the beach and a restaurant.
This is where you want to park to be a bit closer to everything.
The surf here looked amazing when we arrived, it was solid 3-4 foot waves.
Super smooth peeling ones that makes you giggle.
The swell first hits the rocks and sandbars on the right side of the beach, where also a little peninsula goes out.
From the far out right you can catch the wave when the conditions are right and then ride it almost all the way to the area where they dig the holes, that’s a long wave!
Remember to ask around before you jump in about the rip!
It can be very dangerous for a beginner.
You don’t have to surf that break you can just stick it to the beach break away from the rocks.
Out there at the break you have to triangle position yourself, and keep track of it.
Keep an eye out what the locals are up to and follow what they do.
I was a beautiful day of surf we had so much fun!
It was awesome to be back in the water after almost a 2 week break.
That night we checked in at the Top 10 Holiday Park, just a few minutes away from the beach.
This might have been the nicest camping grounds I’ve stayed it, not the most beautiful one but definitely the more social once!
20 NZD/night per person, big camping spot, fish and chips restaurant, big new kitchen, computer and tv room and a big out door BBQ patio!
All this with a super location.
Next day we woke up early to head to Cathedral cove.
You have to do this early morning to be able to find yourself a parking spot, it gets packed here at lunch time.
Park your car and then start the 30 minute hike to the cove.
You start up on the cliff and from here you have great views over the ocean and thus islands, incredible views!
It’s an easy hike down there and it’s worth all the energy spent.
When you first get down there and you get to see this hidden gem you get amazed!
It’s a small bay surrounded by massive limestone cliffs and lush forest.
The ocean have the same green as a shiny jade stone and the sand is so smooth and amazingly white.
It is The beach!
A few rock formations in the water that makes it even more hidden, it is truly the most amazing cove I have visited!
In one of the cliff sides coming out there is a massive opening in the cliff!
That’s the Cathedral!
It goes straight through it all the way to another hidden white sand beach.
Both me and Erin was in the WOW moment the whole time being down there.
If you are going to New Zealand this is a must see!
Wandering around in this beautiful moment enjoying every single part of life I had prepared a big event for us in that Cathedral cove.
We put out our big blanket on the beach.
If you go here early is not as many people so it feels more like that actually hidden deserted gem.
Then I told Erin that we should go for a dip in this beautiful water in this beautiful place.
She went in first, I stopped just in front of the water.
Told her to get back up to give me hug, she then told me to get in the water.
I continue asking her to get up, and finally she came but thought it was weird that I didn’t get in.
Once up I hugged her and told her how much she ment for me, how much I love her, how much we support each other and everything we have been through and everything we are planning for, it all make sense I said.
So I went down on one knee and ask her to become my fiancé!
It was a truly incredible moment at this perfect epic place at a perfect moment in our lives!
She said yes!
A memory of a lifetime , a memory that will always be remembered and a memory I always will keep on talking about!
After that we went back to Hot water beach to have a celebration surf!
Now the swell was even bigger and it was barreling, a 4-6 footer with around 6 seconds in between.
My favorite day for sure, 100%!
It was pumping and you could feel the excitement from everyone.
We had everything in our lives to be excited about!
Truly greatful to create these moments with the people that matters most in my life!
Love you future Miss Erin Lill Henriksen or in whatever order she may want it!
/Monkey
