From Golden Springs to Rotorua, about 34 miles while we tried to avoid the busy main roads. Golden Springs is an excellent campsite. We met two ducks who indicated that bread would be acceptable. We did have a little spare bread so quacked happily and pecked at Guy's belongings, especially the washing he was drying. Lovely creatures. Then to the Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland where we were too late for Lady Knox's Geyser (soap assisted we hear) but, Steve being always willing to lose his sense of time, and getting on with it, by staring amazed at the wonders of nature, Steve paid his $32 to be wowed by Lakes of boiling water in various iridescent and unlikely colours, and sulphurous fumes, boiling mud and craters. A far bit of New Zealand is built on volocanoes in various states. OK at the moment but... Then by backroads to near Rotorua where we eventually hauled up at 6.30pm at the cozy cottage camspsite - $18 each. The YHA affiliated place said, rather oddly, that they had no camping spaces.... seems unlikely but there you go. The campsite itself is a zone of thermal activity - the ground under the tent is warm and it is pretty hot inside. Don't think a sleeping bag is needed. Mud is boiling gently with loud plops a few yards away. A strange and very nervy bird with stunning blue markings is hopping about making loud unearthly calls. Not sure how good a night's sleep we are going to get.
From Golden Springs to Rotorua, about 34 miles while we tried to avoid the busy main roads. Golden Springs is an excellent campsite. We met two ducks who indicated that bread would be acceptable. We did have a little spare bread so quacked happily and pecked at Guy's belongings, especially the washing he was drying. Lovely creatures. Then to the Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland where we were too late for Lady Knox's Geyser (soap assisted we hear) but, Steve being always willing to lose his sense of time, and getting on with it, by staring amazed at the wonders of nature, Steve paid his $32 to be wowed by Lakes of boiling water in various iridescent and unlikely colours, and sulphurous fumes, boiling mud and craters. A far bit of New Zealand is built on volocanoes in various states. OK at the moment but... Then by backroads to near Rotorua where we eventually hauled up at 6.30pm at the cozy cottage camspsite - $18 each. The YHA affiliated place said, rather oddly, that they had no camping spaces.... seems unlikely but there you go. The campsite itself is a zone of thermal activity - the ground under the tent is warm and it is pretty hot inside. Don't think a sleeping bag is needed. Mud is boiling gently with loud plops a few yards away. A strange and very nervy bird with stunning blue markings is hopping about making loud unearthly calls. Not sure how good a night's sleep we are going to get.