Mermaid Pools – Take a peek into part of Sam’s world in The Medallion Auratus. I took these magical images this weekend in a beautiful part of New Zealand that I had never visited before, yet are typical of the rocky beach landscape that inspired me when writing this book. The large Mermaid Pools at Matapouri simply take your breath away when you first see them and are magical to swim in. I must admit they are the largest rock pools I’ve ever seen!