Hot Water Beach
Image by reginasphotos from Pixabay
The entire eastern coastline of New Zealand along the Coromandel Peninsula is studded with jewel-like beaches. The sand is white, the native pōhutukawa trees covered in crimson flowers and the water warm and clear.
One special beach in particular is Hot Water Beach – obviously named because of the fact if you dig just a few inches into the sand on this beach you can uncover hot water created by thermal rivers running out to sea.
I have been there a on a few visits and a couple of hours either side of low tide you see any number of people digging for all they’re worth. As their holes deepen, they fill with water, and soon when everyone reckons they’ve gone down far enough for a decent soak, it’s time to put down the shovels and ease into the natural “hot pools”.
Everyone lies there happily for a while. Then it’s not uncommon to see a new round of earthworks commence as overheated soakers drive trenches to the low tide mark, to induct cooler water into their tubs to lower the temperature a bit.
The view from the “hot tub” is pretty awesome too as you contemplate the wide Pacific horizons. And, of course, if you have too much of a good thing, you can always make a dash for the surf to cool off.
A beach with hot and cold running water: how cool – or hot – is that?
My precious piece of Ariki New Zealand Jewellery to symbolise Hot Water Beach is:
Keepsake Fish Hook Locket (K109)
A keepsake locket with a window giving you a view to your personal treasures. One treasure and one piece of unique piece of paua included. Supplied on a snake chain.
This impressive native New Zealand Māori Design of the Hei-Matau is the fish hook. It symbolizes prosperity. The fish were so plentiful to the Māori that the simple ownership of a fish hook meant prosperity. Today it also represents strength, determination and good health. It also provides a safe journey over water. In Māori culture the Hei Matau (fish hook) is Taonga (a cultural treasure) and our treasure charm is no exception.