Warm Earth Cottages

Warm Earth Cottages

Pippy McCurdy: 
 http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/

These little cottages sounded just so charming, just so perfect I nearly didn't want to go. There were promises of seclusion, of romance, of  the perfect hideaway. So much was promised.
Was this exaggerating the charm? Promising more than could be delivered?
Were Warm Earth Cottages going to be just another pair of quaint cottages in a pretty setting?
Well they weren't. They were much, much more than that.

In rural Katikati Warm Earth Cottages are set by a small riverlet, amidst beautiful gardens, lovingly tended. Surrounded by a mass of flowers and shrubs, the cottages (there are two) are instantly alluring as you approach  Chaotically colourful they are offset by the vast expanses of lawn leading down to the river.
Set amidst this floral chaos are the cottages, and yes they are rustic; they are quaint. And they are beautiful both inside and out.

In each perfumed garden is the outdoor bath - breathtakingly appealing and romantic. The fire is set and lit for you. The waters slowly warm as the sun begins to set.

 Every little detail was provided; - the furs and candles of the bedrooms, the little details of the bathrooms, the outdoor spaces, the posies, sprays and flower arrangements,  the pot belly stoves, the wonderful breakfast hampers... I loved these cottages.

There was nothing missing. Electricity banished. Candlelight indoors and out. A cosy lodge with roaring fire to spend time in should the weather happen to fail you ..

These cottages are romantic in the extreme - a Valentine's Day dream! They create the setting for moments to savour and remember. How many proposals must there have been in the candlelight of  Warm Earth Cottage?

These Cottages are everything you could wish for. Little wonder the blackboard overhead on the verandah is covered in writings overflowing with the pleasures of a wonderful night at Warm Earth Cottage.

Websites: http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/

Mount Tutu Eco Sanctuary

Mount Tutu Eco Sanctuary

Pippy McCurdy: 
 http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/

Up in the hills near Tauranga is a stand of native bush, - virgin native bush I am told. In amidst this bush is the Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary  The sanctuary is more of a home than a tourist venture;  the rooms are more  hostel than hotel. This is really either the strength or the weakness of the whole experience, depending on what you are looking for in your visit.

At Mount Tutu you will be engaged by your hosts who are an absolute mine of knowledge about the bush the wildlife, the eco -system and about New Zealand's ecology in general. In the price of your visit there is a 90 minute walking eco-tour included after a generous breakfast in the morning. And as night falls there is a 60 minute glow worm tour which is, quite frankly, magical.


The glow worms are on either side of a narrow stream bed which you will walk along in the dark, gumboots on, with miner's lights for guidance. Headlights are turned off at various points  and there they are - less than arm's length away - thousand of glow worms, as bright as stars. I've always liked Christmas lights. Who would have thought nature could turn on a display equal to this, deep in the bush on a silent summer's night. I loved it.

Mount Tutu Eco Sanctuary is not really about the accommodation - although it could be.  It is not so much about the vista and the scenery although there are some charming views, and  a picturesque pond or two. The bedrooms are termed whares, and the entrance  to each attempts to capture that feeling of approaching a Maori sleeping house. But so much more could be done on the inside. Mount Tutu is full of potential.

However what Mount Tutu is really about is the bush, the native animals, the wildlife, the eco-experience, and a gentle push towards education. Many visitors have loved the simplicity of the experience - the visitor's book makes this clear. Perhaps it was not entirely what I look for in terms of authenticity and charm in the accommodation, but there were certainly other compensations. Would I recommend it? Yes I definitely would.

Websites: http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/