we wake early on saturday morning of this labour weekend
rustle up another delicious breakfast and bid farewell to ohiwa bay
driving out of the caravan park - beach behind - lagoon in front - lovely
then a short distance along the bay of plenty to the town of ohope bay
stumble on a farmers market and spend a very easy hour or so there
hard to resist the fresh fruit and vegetables on offer - nice crafts too
we leave with fresh asparagus, dried persimmon, smoked chilli, etc
next stop - whakatane town - a cruise up and down the main drag
looking very welcoming too - summery feel, greenery, shops, cafes
hit the hole in the wall and cruise out again with rotorua the target
feeling on a bit of a roll with a so-far-so-very-good trip thus far
mudholes and geysers need to be seen and sulphur needs inhaling
nice drive too - past the holiday-homesville of glistening lake rotoma
a whistle-stop taster tour only on this day so a few tourist spots selected
first stop - the redwoods - whakewareware - 5600 hectares of forest
there's a visitor's centre and a number of tracks to follow and explore
we opt for the shortest - 30 minutes - the longest takes weeks - no time
huge redwood trees in every direction - sunlight filtered by the canopy
the air - pungent and slightly intoxicating - a longer walk would be great
but we enjoy our stroll and exchange greetings with walkers and joggers
it is rated as one of rotorua's main tourist attractions - then on to the next
te puia - 60 hectares of geothermal park - well set up for the throngs
price - ouch - but they know we know we just have to be part of it
a guided tour for less than an hour and only a few visual highlights
the kiwi enclosure (asleep), mud pools (simmering) and the big one
pohutu geyser - goes off every hour or so - we wait most of that
but worth it - steaming water blown 25 meters up - we are in awe
bypass the cultural show (extra bucks) and decide to strike forth
kerosene creek 25km out of town - a natural hot water spring
but they didn't warn us about the goat track in - potholes galore
our campervan not supposed to be there and not very happy either
so abandon this one and also rotorua - we will return but time to go
the nagging thought of the need to get some digs organised for tonight
target - tauranga - our gps triggered guide makes a suggestion near there
mclaren falls park - 60 hectares of park and camping ground around a lake
sounds good and when we got there - oh wow - another treat is in store
first mission to find someone to pay the camp fees - an honesty system
park the van in a higher area near facilities then we start exploring
quite hilly with lots of paths, trees, a lake and vehicle access
we park ourselves by the lake with beer in hand and admire
swans, geese and ducks in the idyllic late afternoon sunlight
the chill in the air finally sends us van-bound and for dinner
asparagus and snapper awash with the final drops of shiraz
a great night's sleep in the quiet and beautiful starlit night
in the morning a drive to matamata and a shot at hobittown
no go - takes 3 hours - we have 1 and a plane to think about
next time for sure - so drive to auckland to deliver the van
thus fulfilling our part of the contract - and to the airport
all very easily done - as with everything else in this week
two very happy travellers - 2400km, 7 days and 6 nights
definitely will be applying for that gig again some day...
