New Van - Up to Coramandel

Day 3, Thursday, November 3^rd

Down the hill to Thames, and equipment malfunction 2.  We had bought a SIM card, to put into our T-mobile phone, and already bought a “topper upper” so we would have some time to talk if needed, and woops – it really doesn’t work in our phone – we goofed around, and talked with the mobile provider on a public phone, all to no avail.  We talked with a salesperson in a local store that sold phones with prepaid minutes on it (another $50), who said this happens all the time – people expect they can just pop in the NZ sim car, and it doesn’t work.  So that was $25 down the tubes.  So we gave up on that and reached the Van folks via the public phone, and after some goofing around we got the Van to a auto electrical shop, that put us in the que – and about two hours later, the verdict was  - a burned out bed motor –and no replacement part to be had – so new Van on its way from Auckland (about 1.5 hours away).  So we did some more grocery shopping, made lunch in our campervan, and just as we finished up our late lunch our replacement campervan showed up.  So about a half hour transferring everything, and up the Coramandel Peninsula we went.  I know we have only been here a few days, but this was a breathtaking drive.  I doubt the pictures will do it justice.  Absolutely spectacular – did I say we were impressed?  After a few hours and lots of pullouts for awe inspiring views and photos, we made it to Coramandel, where we stayed in a “top ten Holiday Park”.  Kind of a RV/motel combination – this one was ranked a top ten and it’s very nice.  A lot nicer than the RV parks I’ve seen in CO, like in South Fork, where the RV’s are cheek to jowl (all from Texas of course).     Showers (50 cents for 5 minutes, - worked great though and very nice) and a fully equipped kitchen that we used to cook our dinner that night, giving the campervan kitchen a rest.    We were parked next to a German couple and their 20-year old daughter, who were here for two weeks – spoke perfect English – as opposed to my 3 phrases in German (Sehr Gut, Nein, and Ich bin ein Berliner).  The daughter had done a semester abroad in high school here, and she was dragging her parents back to see the sites and visit some of her NZ friends.  

Here are some photos from the drive from Thames up to Coramandel.