Not only was I awake until late, I also woke up this morning 20 minutes before I needed to. I didn't want to go back to sleep because I knew I'd feel worse after. So, after about 4 hours sleep I was up at 6.40am! At 6.50am, ABBA music started blasting out in the kitchen anyway, so I'm glad I was awake before that.

I also woke up to find that my thighs are different shades of red, blue and purple after doing the Haka.

Basic breakfast was provided, so we had some cereal and toast with a coffee before setting off at 8am for our next stop, Rotorua.

Heavy rain meant the rafting had to
be cancelled as the river had become too dangerous. Luckily we weren't wanting to do it there anyway and are waiting to do it in the south island, maybe from Queenstown.

As we got closer to Rotorua, it absolutely stunk of rotten eggs. That's because of all the volcanic activity in the area.

Next thing. A power cut. That caused the Hell's Gate spa to be closed. Again, we weren't really planning on doing the spa, maybe tomorrow though. The power cut was from the spa, then 50km east!

We decided to go to Whakadawada Thermal Village, which the Stray bus took us to, for $30 (£15) each. We didn't plan on going but thought we should learn a bit more about the Maori people. We had a guide who took us around the village to see the different hot pools. Some of them looked bright blue but when we got close they were crystal clear. One was 55 metres deep with a temperature of nearly 300 degrees Celsius! They even cook food in there. Joints of meat, vegetables, and even cakes.
One of them was letting off loads of steam and it was hard to breath even around it. Our camera kept steaming up too. Then we went to one part where the floor is warm from all the goings on underground. I took my flip-flops off and put my feet on the floor! It was lovely and warm, perfect for my cold feet. It was miserable again today so it was a bit cold.

Then we went on to see a cultural show. It was very similar to last nights but actually this was much better.

Part of the price included a bit of free food - corn on the cob and a piece of cake. All heated in the geothermal pools. Tasted good actually.

It was pretty good in there to see all the thermal hot pools etc, but it did all seem a bit false really. It's too much of tourist attraction rather than a working village as it says. Still worth seeing though.

We stopped at the YHA with Jodie and Dean. Nearly didn't get a room but then they decided to open up another unit for us. First room was wet on the floor under the window so I went back to reception to ask to be moved room.
Ended up in a much smaller room. Can't flipping win!
But we had our own kitchen and TV room with big comfy leather sofas, all to ourselves, as it's separate from the main building and nobody else is here, yet. Suppose that won't last long.

Had a quick bite to eat and watched a bit of TV before the girls decided they were going for a nap. So me and Dean decided to go to the supermarket to get some food for tea (dinner to Dean and anyone else who doesn't understand what tea is). First off, we made a detour to the pub. We had a voucher for a free drink at the Pig & Whistle. There was no catch either. I went to the till expecting to be told I had to buy a meal, but no, she pulled half a pint of Swine Lager. Good stuff. Really nice modern pub in an old Police Station. The food looked lovely but was fairly expensive, for a backpacker. Sat and watched the tennis and NFL, then decided we had time for another pint - $7.50 (£3.75) each!! There's the catch then!
We made it to the supermarket anyway and bought a few bits for the next couple days.

When we got back, the girls were still in bed! Although they reckon they had been awake for an hour. Me and Dean set to it and made chicken burritos. Nearly didn't go to plan though as the pack had these tiny little wraps in. Came out good in the end though. Burritos with rice. The girls were impresses anyway.

After that we kicked back in the TV area and watched The Pursuit of Happiness and a chocolate muffin to share for dessert! Nice!