Day 358 (Thursday 27th November 08)

Back into the centre of Taupo and then up to the lookout. Made our way to Rotorua. Had been recommended by a couple of people along the way to stop at Kerosene Creek which is a free thermal river and pool. Consulted the Lonely Planet as it isn't signposted until you get there and managed to find it. Enjoyed a nice dip in the natural surroundings which was awesome and a few other people came along whilst we were there. Think we smelt a bit after from the river water!! Carried on into Rotorua and amazing to see all the thermal vents around. A really nice hot day and Rotorua was a nice town. Went down to the lake and had a look. Then off to look around some of the shops. Both in need of a campsite and a shower so headed out of Rotorua to find somewhere. Ended up in Whakatane. Headed straight for the showers and then did our washing. Did some study for the afternoon and then went to cook something to eat. As we were coming back to Hump Puppy after having cooked bumped into a couple with a puppy. They said they had found it and did we know anything about it? We didn't so off they went to find the RSPCA as they had already been around the rest of the campsite. Just as we were getting our washing in from the line saw a dog run through into one of the back gardens that backed onto the campsite that looked like the mum of the puppy. Once we had sorted out our washing went to find the couple we had bumped into just before. They had just got back from dropping the puppy at the RSPCA as they had heard the people that might be the owners didn't treat their animals very well. Ended up finding out their names were Mandy and Pete and chatted to them for hours. Had a drink in their van and exchanged stories on travelling as they had been through China, North Vietnam and Australia before New Zealand.