We have had such a great time in NZ, and considering we only made up our mind to come here a few weeks prior to arriving, it has been an amazing stop! What we have to take out of NZ is it is definitely the land of extremes. Extreme highs (hot springs temperature), extreme lows (air temperature outside of hot springs), extreme adventure (Rotorua Thermal Park), extreme activity (Hukka Falls Jet Boat – stay tuned!), and so relaxed, and friendly, it is awesome!

Since we last blogged we have trekked our way in Snoopy to Rotorua, the thermal hotspot in NZ. Since one of the major attractions bringing us back to Japan was the hotsprings, it was quite fortuitous to be able to experience them here in NZ! Since we have left Auckland, we haven’t stayed at a place which hasn’t had natural hotsprings in the campsite! This to us has been awesome as each time the hotsprings have got better and better with each day that has passed.

Not content with the hotsprings in our own campsite, we made our way to the Polynesian Spa in Rotorua. Here we were able to soak in 7 different hotspring pools, of 3 different types. It was pretty awesome as Kam and I got to look out over Lake Rotorua whist plunging into a 42 degree pool! Awesome! After 2 and half hours we decided we were pruney enough and took a drive around the outskirts of Rotorua. We went to the Green and Blue Lake, where they were holding a triathlon, and decided to have lunch on the shores of Lake Tarawera.

Now we are staying at Lake Waikite Thermal Pools, we are staggered that we can spend $30 a night to stay at the campsite set in a beautiful valley which has its own hotspring churning out 400 litres of 98 degree mineral enriched water per second. One again we have several pools to choose from and campers get preferential treatment with the Park closing early and opening late for the general public so that we get the VIP treatment!

 Sitting in a coffee shop at Lake Taupo about to head off to do the Hukka Falls Jet Boat – stayed tuned for the excitement and thrills!!