Taupo to Rotorua, Waitomo Caves, Corrimondal Pennisula

This is turning into a weekly update! Didn't think much of Taupo, only excitement was going to a pre-season Super 14 rugby match between the Chiefs and Hurricanes, pretty good, a good few of past/present all-blacks playing (those that aren't playing in Europe).

Rotorua was good enough for a few days, stayed about 10mins out of town itself so as to avoid the rotten egg smell that u can't escape in the centre! Holiday Park was overlooking a really nice blue lake, surrounded by forrest, real postcard stuff. A good trip was a visit to Polynesian Spa, like the one in Hanmer SPrings in the South Island, made up of different temperature naturally heated thermal pools, upto 42degrees (didn't stay in that one for long!). Something a bit touristy, but was good fun was going to a Maoiri village and having a "hangi" cooked meal, maori story-telling, song and dance, think I enjoyed the grub more to be honest, been ages since we had a roast dinner! Went zorbing (rolling down some hill in a 10ft plastic ball!), which was a bit disappointing , though for one that the hill would be longer and steeper, Sinead and myself got into the one "zorb-ball" and then we were set off down the hill, over in about 30secs, mite be a handy business to set up when I get back home, rolling plastic balls down hills somewhere in Ladysbridge ;)

From Rotorua, we drove onto Waitomo, or cave-country as its known, went on a black water rafting trip here, basically going into the caves with a wet-suit and a rubber ring, and jumping off waterfalls, floating down rivers and looking at glow worms for a few hours, good crack though in fairness!

After Waitomo spent last couple of days driving up and around the Corrimondal Pennisula, well worth trip, purely for scenery and walks and that. Travelled today through Auckland and up to Whangerei in Northland, where we're going taking in Bay of Islands for a couple of days.

Nearly time to leave New Zealand unfortunately, flying on 15th to Hawaii, we'll try and enjoy it sure ;)

Kevin