Day 5- Auckland to Coromandel- posted late

For our first day out of Auckland to head southeast, we woke up to pouring rain. Michael's friend's cruise ship was outside to the right. By the time we packed up, the weather had improved to just a light drizzle.  We headed off with Dave and Maggie, and Michael and Patsy behind us. 

View from Auckland Room

Once we were outside of Auckland, the sky cleared up and it was beautiful. A stop at the Miranda  Shorebird Centre  did not provide any look at any birds. Apparently, one had to go out on a tour through the shore, but this wasn't the correct time to do that. So we walked around the very small center, bought bird books and had a loo stop. 

Shoreline Bird Sanctuary

I have no idea when this photo belowwas taken by Dave, but it has this date on it.

Morgans by Dave

It was getting close to lunch time, and there didn't seem to be much around or even coming up per Garmin, so we stopped at the Waitak Country Store for a coffee stop which turned into a lunch stop.

Lunch Stop

I took a lot of ribbing for selecting such a fine establishment, as the table rocked around and the atmosphere was not superb. It seemed just fine to me, but I am not picky.

Fancy lunch stop

Heading around the end of the Coromandel Peninsula, we found several other options for lunch, but it was already done.

Driving up the Coromadel Penninsula

It was a beautiful ride up the Peninsula. Michael was a bit anxious with this drive, as it was his first time out driving on the left hand side of the road with a right hand drive "Forgan". There were logging trucks passing on very narrow places.  

Further up the Penninsula

Hotel Room in Coromandel

Upon finding our room to be a suite with a kitchen, dining room, and bedroom, we asked around if anyone else wanted to BBQ. Callie and Colin took us up on it. We headed to Coromandel to shop for food. It is a very small town- well about the size of Groveland. 

Coromandel

Upon return, Philip started washing the Morgan. Soon after, Dennis called to say come on over for some wine. Our room was in a different section than most of the smaller rooms, so we didn't hear nor see what was happening. It was Pam's birthday, and a celebration was occurring. We missed it. 
This was the first time I discovered that we had to really seek out information as to "what was happening". Richard had made it clear that there was no "leader" for this trip, which means communication has to be searched for, or you need to be "in the in group", whomever that may be for the day. 

Pam- Over 80 and Very Gutsy.

We had a very enjoyable BBQ with Colin and Callie- the only BBQ so far.