Our first overnight stop in the vans on Sat 25th was at Miranda Holiday Park by the hot springs, overlooking the Firth of Thames. Nice campsite but very busy and the weather was not at its best. We moved off to go to Rotorua but first stoppedat the MirandaShorebird Centre and had a short walk across to the shoreline looking over the firth towards the CoromandelPeninsula. The drive to Rotorua took us through lovely countryside, quite mountainous and very green, accompanied by heavy showers. We arrived at the Weiteti Trout Stream Holiday Park after 4pm, nice campsite alongside the Weitetistream with access to Lake Rotorua. On the owners recommendation and with the free drinks coupons he provided, we visited the Pig and Whistle in town, which was excellent. Last night was cold but clear skies this morning so we walked the streamdown to the lake, but decided that our fishing efforts would be better directed elsewhere, so moved camp to the more centrally placed Rotorua Top 10 Holiday Park. From here we walked down to the centre and the lake, then on to Te Puia, a Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, which includes mudpools, and five geysers, including the spectacular 20 metre Pohutu geyser pictured here.Having a barbie tonight and heading for Lake Taupo in the morning.