We met up with Jane and Doug in the 'stinky city'. We stayed in a lovely Motel with its own hot pools which we spent lots of time in, they were so nice. We walked around the city where there were clouds of steam coming from people's gardens and in the parks etc, very eerie but amazing to see. We went for a day trip where we took a walk down to mount Tarawera we walked past amazing coloured pools and rivers and to steaming lakes. The colours were reds and greens and blues with steam rising from every nook and cranny and bubbling mud. We then caught the boat for a trip around the lake where we were told all about the history of the eruptions and shown where there were once the pink terraces (one of the 7 wonders of the world) which had been destroyed in the 1880's. The next day we went to the farm show, there were only 8 of us so we all had to participate, there were sheep dog shows and sheep shearing, Claire sat on a huge bull that weighed a ton, Ian milked a cow and we both fed lambs, it was good fun. We also went to Whakarewarewa to see huge geezers and bubbling mud pools. That night at 5am the owners of the motel woke us and asked us to move our cars. Part of the car park had erupted; there was mud everywhere and a bubbling pool of mud just next to Jane and Doug's car. Ian rushed out and moved the cars, setting off the car alarm in their car. It was all very exciting and worth the fact we couldn't have another hot spa the last day. On our final night we went to the Tamaki Village Maori evening. It was great; we had a proper Maori welcome Haka. Ian was our chief and had to go and represent his people (our coach). We then went and walked round the village and saw traditional games, music etc. We then had a show with all the dancing and the guys told us all about the culture and stories, and they and the women (with their faces painted) did the dances etc. We then had a fabulous Hangi meal and were entertained by the drivers and guides. The next morning was quite sad as we said goodbye to Jane and Doug and we went our separate ways.