During my visit to New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula, which is well-known for its famous Hot Water Beach, I was disappointed to find that I had missed the low tide. For a moment, I felt trapped on a peninsula with no plan — only a brochure advertising New Chum Beach.
I have never been one to say no to a beach.
So on a whim, I asked a driver to take me to the advertised sands. He took me and three other tourists down a bumpy, rainforest-lined road and dropped us off at Whangapoua Beach, where he told us we would have to hoof it across a rocky trail to New Chum Beach, where there would be no buildings or bathrooms.
Somehow, even after crossing a freezing stream, nearly falling into mud and getting slapped in the face by ferns and palm branches every 10 seconds, my apprehension lessened as I clambered along the trail. I felt like Indiana Jones on an episode of “Survivor.” Finally, the rainforest opened, and there I was.
Nothing could have prepared me for the rush of sheer emotion I felt when I looked around at the completely deserted stretch of beach surrounded by mossy green mountains, turquoise ocean and white sand. I laughed aloud. I scampered around in search of seashells. I took selfies with the reckless abandon of being totally alone.
Then, I sat down and breathed in the smell of the waves and felt every lick of the breeze. I felt fuller than I ever had in the midst of this nothingness. I beamed in my pride at having ventured there.
I left feeling looser. I felt like I knew every boulder and mud puddle. The ferns brushed my hair, and the water from the stream was a welcome spa treatment. Venturing off the beaten path rewarded me ten-fold: I found my happy place.
The Details
New Chum Beach
www.thecoromandel.com
