Chris Skudder - New Zealand House Swap page 4 of 6
Hot springs on private lake beaches and a bum-clenching rafting trip over a seven metre high waterfall soon gave way to the beaches on New Zealand’s glorious Bay Of Plenty. Mount Maunganui with its beachside mountain was a surfers’ paradise, and so was Whangamata as we moved up the coast towards the Coromandel.
The coast of Whangamata
Talking of bum-clenching, Whangamata’s classic crescent of sand washed by sunshine and surf probably looked the same when there were just a few Maori about, so imagine how incongruous a sight a tardis-like ‘talking’ toilet was at the back of the beach. One confused and increasingly desperate woman was wandering around asking all and sundry how she could get in - to no avail. One random press of a shiny button got me through the door, only for the lock to slam shut instantly at the same time as Burt Bacharach began serenading me with ‘This Guy’s In Love’.
The muzak had barely registered when a deep American voice informed me that ‘You have ten minutes of use.’ So much for constipation, then. This place did everything bar politely enquire ‘Care for a pooh, sir?’ as you walked innocently past. As it happened, Waipu (whypoo) saved our butts later in the trip - thanks to a friendly garage attendant who showed us a shortcut through the seaside village to escape a major snarl-up on the one and only major road up to the Bay Of Islands.
Recommended Offers
 |
FREE Disney gift card worth up to $1000 Book a 14 night Disney holiday with Disney's Ultimate Tickets on selected dates and receive a gift card with a value of up to $1000! |
|
|
Low deposits on Summer 2010 Holidays Book your holiday for next summer and only pay a small deposit - from just £50pp! Then you only have to pay the balance 8 weeks before you travel. |
|
|
Top TV Offers Deals of the week including Cyprus, the Maldives, Rhodes, USA and Northern Europe Cruises. |
|
Beach holiday bargains Deals from your local airport Sky Travel cruise offers Tailor-made holidays City breaks and hotels |
|
Subscribe to Sky Travel's Newsletter
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter, packed with exclusive holiday deals, competitions, quizzes and travel ideas.
