This is no ordinary beach. Stay tuned to find out what makes this slice of paradise so special.
Let me introduce you to New Zealand’s Hot Water Beach. Above is a picture of one of the most isolated and unusual beaches in the world, and being a Kiwi, I just couldn’t pass up this opportunity to share this magical place with you.
Hot Water Beach is as good as its name. Yes, it’s a beach where if you arrive two hours before or after low tide, you can bring a spade and hollow out a hole which fills with natural hot water. What? It’s true. The hot water actually seeps up from below and through the sand to fill the hole. Those in this picture are just beginning the dig, but I’ve tunnelled out some big holes there in my time, and seriously, once the hard work is done, you simply get to sit back, relax and enjoy what I’d call an exclusive spa experience with a view to kill, and all without having to pay a cent.
This beach has got to be one of my favorite spots. I love taking a dip in the ocean, then warming up afterwards in my very own hot water pool. Yep, gotta love that.
So, how does this phenomenon happen?
New Zealand sits on the Pacific Rim of Fire. I know, that sounds completely scary, but in actual fact it isn’t. It just means we have a lot of deep underground reservoirs of superheated water and with it, unusual geothermal activity like what happens at Hot Water Beach. Here at this beach there are two springs which the hot water escapes up from far below the surface. The water cools on its way up, and once hitting the surface, only comes forth if you dig for it. That’s what makes this beach so unique. A little digging, and the hot water rises. It certainly makes for a wonderful experience if you’re ever in my neck of the woods to come and see.
It’s this uniqueness to my country which is why I use locations like this one in my books. You’ve got to write what you know, and I love bringing readers right here, to the one place in the world I hold close to my heart. So, if you ever want a taste of my country, check out PROTECTOR, and any of my other soon-to-be released novels. They’re all set within New Zealand, The Land of the Long White Cloud.
Here’s what one reviewer said of PROTECTOR’S scene descriptions (which I totally adored.)
“Throughout Protector Joanne Wadsworth does a great job of developing character
and keeping the tension between Faith and Davio high. Her worldbuilding is
packed with magic and fun, and her settings, from the beaches and mountains of
New Zealand to the tumultuous oceans and towering cliffs of Magio, are
breathtaking.”
You can probably see why I like it. Take care and have a fabulous week. If you want to drop a comment, make sure you do. I love hearing from you all.
PROTECTOR > BUY THE BOOK: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Lyrical Press / iTunes / Kobo
Oh my gosh, that is so (I almost wrote “cool”) awesome, the Hot Water Beach and the review!
Thanks, Amy. I was definitely buzzing after the review. Hot Water Beach is wicked, and actually quite remote. It’s at the top end of the Coromandel Peninsula. Those people on the beach in the photo, are quite a large group. You wouldn’t see more than that number there at any one time. 🙂
A hot water beach? I believe I could spend hours there. It sounds marvelous. I loved how you brought local flavor and scenery to PROTECTOR, Joanne. It allowed those of us who’ve never been to New Zealand to get a first hand glimpse through the eyes of your characters!
Thanks, Mae. You’re so sweet to let me know how much you enjoyed Protector.
What a beautiful place! That hot water sounds so decadent. Thanks so much for sharing, Joanne.
Thanks, Jo. I love sharing these unusual locations.
I’ve been there, years ago – it’s the one just north of the Kawhia harbour mouth, isn’t it? I have distinct memories of scraping out the sand and feeling that hot water welling up. Eventually I ended up sitting in a sandy pool of hot mineral water, right there on the beach. Just astonishing!
That’s so cool you’ve been there. It’s quite shocking when you’re sitting in hot water at the water’s edge, and the beach is right there a few feet away. It’s so unreal. *waving from NZ* Thanks, Matthew. Loved your comment.
It was wa-a-a-a-ay back. We used to go on family holidays to Kawhia when I was a kid. A major drive from Napier, where I was growing up, but there was always the promise of walking on the mudflats, and fishing…and those pools. I’ve only been back once since, and the place was almost unrecognisable.