Whakatane, Rotorua and Tauranga

Whakatane : Click here for all the Whakatane photos

March 24 - This morning, after making me a delicious flat white with his fancy espresso machine, John took us on a tour of his favourite spots in Whakatane. Highlights were beautiful black sand beaches and volcanoes. ( One of them is active! )

Rotorua : Click here for the Rotorua photos

Back to Rotorua, we went to Whakarewarewa The Living Village where we saw a little bit of all the geothermal activity in the area including a geyser, boiling pools of mud and steaming colorful lakes. We also watched a Maori Cultural performance which included the famous Haka ( war dance ).

P.s. In Maori language, the letters "wh" together make an "f" sound. 

Tauranga: Click here for all the Tauranga photos

Checked in at the Roselands Motel on Brown St. Walked downtown to The Strand for dinner. Had a nice relaxing evening.

Mar 25 - Morning coffee at Starbucks! Strolled through the downtown area and window shopped. Went on a hike up Mt Maunganui ( an inactive volcano ) and a drive along the beautiful beach.

We met Maureen and Paul's friend Jan! She took us to a hot pool. It's pure hot mineral water from the ground. No chemicals used. They drain it every night. Makes your skin very soft. After a good soak, we went to Jan's place for tea and a biscuit. 

Mar 26th - Morning walk around the base of the mountain ( 3 kms ) and a little shopping and lunch.

In the evening we had Fish and Chips in the harbour with Jan, her daughter Erin, Erin's husband Malcolm and their 2 month old baby boy, Corbin. I nursed the baby while his parents ate. ( don't worry, "nursing" the baby just means "holding" the baby in kiwi talk ) After dinner Jan took us on a night time nature walk at McLarens Waterfall to see the glow worms. They light up like Christmas lights!

Today, we're off to Auckland .... The last leg of our journey before we leave for Ecuador. 

Until next time ...