Rotorua

We were sorry to leave Paihia but time is limited so we left on a day where gale force winds and heavy rain were forecast. We drove over to the west coast, (doesn't take long) and then wound our way down through the forest, taking in the largest tree on the way. Girth I think is 17m and it was tall and possibly 2000 years old. We were planning on stopping B&B but we couldn't find anything. All of a sudden there wasn't even a motell. We wer getting close to Auckland when we remembered the place we drove out to when we got the car (which is a Masda not a Nissan). There was a caravan park there so we turned off highway 16 and drove towards Muriwai beach. The site was private but the lady in the shop phoned through to a place called "only fools and horses", asked us if we were farm stay or backpackers and gave us directions and two big helpings of fish and chips. So we spent the night in a barn with 10 bunk beds, a bar for a kitchen, a 42" tv with all channels and a toilet and shower that worked perfectly. They always do in spite of looking suspiciously British. The view was over a paddock and then countryside, unfortunately the wind was rather high so we didn't get to explore much. Next morning we were away early with E at the wheel aiming for Rotorua, about 200 km south of Auckland. We had to drive right in to Auckland to meet Bruce in a confusing 5 lane system of motorways. All went well however and Bruce was soon one lane each way, though the traffic was fairly heavy, stopping only to let a family of ducks over the road. We stopped at Hamilton to see the park, (beautiful) eat lunch and swop drivers. That gave E a chance to observe the countryside which is a bit English, only a bit more. A bit more green, a few more trees, lots of rolling hills and far more of it altogether. Arrived in Rotorua and made for Fenton St where most of the hotels are. Drove up and down then round and about closer to the lakeside. K was just starting to fume so I hopped out and asked for a price at Havana motel. 105$. I explained that sorry, we were on a budget but she interupted me and said 80 in the older part. So we got a good price, close to the lake just like our first place, all mod cons and plenty of space. I can't believe it. Today we visited the museum. May I suggest that any readers check this place out, the museum took all day (Only a K day which is from 11 to 3 with a stop for lunch). Rotorua is famous for the spa waters and the volcano which eruped in 1886 killing at least 120 people. The town smells of sulphur and the ground is steaming all over the place. There are pools that bubble and hiss, talking to a couple of people here they said they never bother when the small earthquakes occur, it's too often to bother about. We didn't realise that we were on the main pacific ring, the same as San Fransisco. We took a bath in the motell's own spa, then a dip in the outdoor pool which was just as warm (38). Watch this spot to see if E takes a mud bath tomorrow.