We arrived in Rotorua via a stop-off at a thermal baths - We had a private pool for an hour and the water was from natural hot springs created by geo-thermal activity …… Serious pamper time.

Rotorua itself is the centre of geo-thermal activity and has several examples of bubbling springs and spectacular mud pools and an ever present smell of sulphur. It is also the home of Carl and Marie ex-residents of Earlsdon (sadly missed in that part of the world) and our hosts for the following three days.

They looked after us well over the three day period we spend with them - They got us free tickets for a major Maori festival "Te Matitini Kapa Haka" a four day festival and competition of Maori culture including Dance, Music, Singing etc. - We were there on finals day with several thousand Maoris and a handful of tourists ….. It was an amazing experience and the Haka itself performed with so many interpretations, by the different finalists was emotionally charged. During the rest of our stay C&M showed us around the town, explaining all the geo-thermal activity, took us to the outlying lakes where we swam and barbequed, to the redwood forest, where the trees seem to reach the sky and to the site of their new house, high on a hill overlooking the lake - perfect location - It will be awesome.

Excellent three days, excellent hosts and we forgot to mention we drank about 18 bottles of wine between the four us - We were told that Marlborough and Hawkes Bay were the wine centres of New Zealand but to us it was Rotorua - We were very sad to leave but the quest goes on and hopefully we will see C&M later in the year back in Coventry.