Apr 4 -5 Taupo - is a rather large Geothermal area. I arrived early afternoon and stayed at a hostel, single room. Bathrooms adjoined with electronic system so when you are using toilet, you press the red button which locks the other person out - feels like you have your own bathroom! This is very important after travelling and *sharing* so long - as you get older, sharing toilet facilities with anyone but your spouse is sometimes gag worthy, one step above disgusting - oh well - I am adaptable! Here I made a mistake - I had booked another motel through a different website and because I am using my phone, missed the reminder so thought I had not booked a room - yep double booked and double pay. So much for saving money in a hostel, could have stayed at a really nice place for the money spent L

That afternoon I went to the Craters of the Moon; a local geothermal area. (see pictures of this 2 days - they are awesome!) Out of nowhere, steam from the hills and bubbling mud. Apparently it one of the 3 or 4 thermal areas in the world - one of the largest of course is Yellowstone park in Wyoming USA. After a quick tour, off to Huka Falls - the water after the falls is an incredible color; lots of hiking opportunities here. Dinner downtown overlooking the Lake - it is very large and a virtual family playground - so many activities besides the usual lake activities. Quads, white water rafting, sky diving, air safaris, prawn fishing, 4D cinema and horse riding. Now is a slower season, fall, so it's not busy.

Apr 5 - Honey Hive, Ropes Course and the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. The honey hive is a shop with all things New Zealand Manuka honey - it is supposed to be good for you in all ways - face, body and stomach…I loaded up for everyone at home. I love it.

After this, I did this crazy ropes course. Not the usual type where you are attached by a guide rope above in a harness. Here, you are attached by a carabineer harness from below. This set up makes you feel like you are NOT attached i.e. free falling if you know what I mean - yikes. You get down by being lowered by the belayer below - it's a big trust. The attraction for me was the BIG JUMP. After completing several of the ropes stations, it was the big one. Years earlier, I tried a similar jump during a personal development course, but did not make it, missed the bar - it bothered me a LOT ever since. So when I saw the opportunity to complete, I took it. After climbing a 200+ft pole by simple metal rungs, you stand on top of the pole, 2ft round. It was hard getting on the pole as it was a bit windy and the belaying rope was too tight,. After he loosened it a bit, I hoisted myself on top - wobbly and stomach in my mouth. The belayer yells 1,2,3 and you jump out to hang onto the bar, 10 ft or 3m, away. As you jump, he pulls the rope a bit to assist with gravity. I took a breath and jumped - I MADE IT - albeit one arm but hung on for dear life til other arm joined me. SO HAPPY - another huge objective met. Afterwards, we did this *swing* where you jump off a platform and free fall until the harness catches and you go for a big swing. After Victoria Falls, this was nothing but total fun!

Next, I drove like a madman to Waimangu Volcanic Valley - totally worth it. Look at the pictures, it was so interesting and much like Yellowstone. The walk was great before the long drive to Auckland - my final NZ destination. The scenery along the way changes again as you approach the coastline again. I drive into a beautiful sunset. Another Airbnb awaits with a new adventure!