New Zealand - Volcanoes, Boiled Eggs, Hot Springs

Eli and I spent today in Raglan, a small, trendy surf town. We sat on the beach and soaked up some sun. We are now currently south of Auckland with plans to camp in our car tonight in a park tucked off of one of the main roads. We just got done eating a hearty meal of baked beans and mac and cheese from our campstove. We must look homeless because a very nice Afghani family offered us some of there lamb kabobs fresh off of the grill. We accepted. The food in New Zealand has been tasty! Tomorrow we will head into Auckland to explore the city. We have been traveling the North Island for the past week taking it day by day with no real plans in mind. 2 days ago Eli and I spent the day in Tongariro National Park. It claims to be New Zealand's best day hike and we agree that it was spectaculur. The day was perfect, a bit chilly but just right for hiking. No clouds in site. We spent 7 hrs hiking up craters and volcanic areas. There was steam vents coming out of the mountain with sulfuric gas...smelled like eggs. So that night we went and bought a dozen eggs and boiled them to have as snacks. I am turning into my parents (as boiled eggs are a staple of any family road trip).

Yesterday we stayed in Kawhia, a small beach town on the west side of the North Island. Kawhia offered good fish and chips, which we devoured before the seagulls could get us. Kawhia is also known for the natural hot springs that hide in the black sands of Te Puia beach. We had to catch the springs near lowtide and then we walked around barefoot until we could feel hot spots on the beach. A friendly visitor had a shovel for us to borrow and Eli dug us a hole for our cold feet. The water was suprisingly hot. One couple on the beach actually dug themselves a shallow hottub!