Up early to pick up the bus and head south. Stopped for breakfast in a little place called Thames and then carried on through the mountains to Cathedral Cove. Was beautiful scenery. Once we were there all did a 40min walk down to the cove which was a lovely beach with clear waters. Sunbathed there for a few hours before walking back to the bus. Next stop was Whittanga where we stayed for the evening in a cute hostel, we actually got to stay in the house and had lounge and TV to ourselves!

The next morning we visited Hot water beach. There if you dig yourself a hole the water under the sand is boiling hot. Felt really strange having the cold sea coming in and steam coming out of the sand! Actually burnt your feet if you left them there too long! Next stop after that was Whangamanta a little surf town for breakfast and coffee. Next we stopped at the Wahi Karrangwhake scenic reserve and did a walk through the gorge and old gold mining tunnels. Went over suspension bridges and through the long tunnels that were absolutely pitch black in the middle. Bit scary and no one was allowed a light cause that spoilt the fun! I kept tripping over the edge of the tain line, clumsy mare!! After the walk we had a pinic and feed the ducks. Drove on from there to Paeroa which is home to a famous lemon drink and then on to Matamata also known as 'hobbitton' from Lord of the Rings. Took some pictures of the sign and of the statue of Gollam! Finally stop for the night was Rotorua.