BK's Rotorua Motor Lodge

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I cruised out of town past kiwi orchards and farms. It was great to be back on the road enjoying the flatish first 30km to Kiwi360, where I stopped to marvel at teh giant kiwi fruit, kiwi fruit themed shop and to get a cofee (it had been a late night and a early start).

The ladies in teh shop were even more excited about my trip than me, quizing me ...

... fun though and we get great kudos from the ladies for our efforts. It has also been much photographed and videoed - so watch on on youtube for the next biggest thing soon. Bed time is equally fun - 24 people grabbing mattresses and spreading them out around the walls of the hall - made up with quilts etc. Even at 34, I wouldn't have been disappointed if it had all descended into one big pillow fight. On my iPod The Hakka - New Zealand Rugby Squad

... in the afternoon!!... I hadn't realised the skidive would be the same day... Turns out the weather turns to the worst and so the skidive is cancelled! Bit disappointed but no doubts I will have an even better time at the next skidive location! ;o) Before heading to Taupo we pick up some guys in Rotorua and I am really pleased to see Stacey, Asleigh, Mark and Nicole are there! I had met them on the first bus and they are great fun so it is nice to catch up ...

... visit to the Canon repair center in Bangkok or the purchase of a new camera. Quite the downer for A2 as photography is a huge passion and essential for her travels. For now we will have to make do with B2's G9 until we can get the 40D up and running. So departing the broken glass beach we drove towards Waitamo Caves stopping at a collapsed limestone cave that formed a natural bridge. It was stunning and we were there alone ...

... smell. After Wai-o-tapu, we visited Waimangu geothermal park later that afternoon. This park is quite different from Wai-o-tapu, spreading through a valley with forests and lakes. A 1.5hrs walk allowed us to enjoy the view of the lakes and craters through the park, but admittedly, we didn't find Waimangu as impressive as Wai-o-tapu (although we did not take the available cruise). Our tour through the geothermal parks ended with a visit to the mud pools ...

... you stayed upright too!). And I kept my knees bent, so that Eric landed us on his legs and after a second or two, then I put my legs on the ground and tried to make them start walking/running on the ground until we came to our final stop. NZone's slogan is 'Embrace the fear'; there's bumpf in their brochure about how the personal challenge is immense, because the only thing preventing you from enjoying this is your own mind. You must choose. To go through ...

... the reasons we had planned on meeting up in Rotorua. Neither Paul nor Jeremy had even the slightest desire to do it, so we wanted to be able to go together. Bright and early Thursday morning, we headed out to the zorbing site. Determined not to waste the experience, Connie and I each signed up for three zorb rides. For the first one, we were strapped in and rolled, ass-over-teakettle (pardon my bad language) straight down the hill. The second ...

... for some relaxation, very nice... Hangi meal and bottle of wine and we were ready for bed. Notre prochaine destination est Rotorua, une ville ou l'odeur est horrible (senteur d'oeuf pourri) a cause des stations thermales naturelles. En revanche, ne vous fiez pas a l'odeur, la region est plutot sympa et une fois avoir pris l'habitude a l'odeur il n'y a plus que du positif!



Nous sommes restes deux nuits ...

... When she arrived back Tara said that the rafting was amazing and not at all like what you imagine it to be. She had also decided to stay in Rotorua tonight too - the bus driver had told her that there was nothing else to do in Waitomo other than what she had already done... so fair enough. It didn't take long at all to get to our final destination and get dropped off at our hostel for the few nights we were staying, and typically Darren ...

... crowds. I saw it and didn't know if I should laugh or cry. Don't find yourselves in the same predicament. Stay away from there. The area around Taupo and Rotora are the thermally most active area New Zealands. The thermal energy is used to create electricity. As a reminder, New Zealand is at the ...