Rotorua (Fong-a-pee-pero) - In Maori this means 'An evil smelling place!'

On the way we went to the Karangahake Scenic Reserve where we went through a pitch black 1 km long railway tunnel! Bit scary. It used to be a gold mining place :)

We got back on the bus and went to Mata Mata. This is the Hobbiton town for Lord of the Rings which Kla was excited about! :) We had lunch here.

We then headed to Rotorua. Everywhere here has bubbling mud pools and steam coming from the ground. It stinks of Sulphur so i couldn't tell when Law farted.

We had a couple of days here. By now we had made a group of friends. A couple of guys from Farnham which was crazy, four guys from Birmingham and two sheep shaggers. On the first day in Rotarua we missed the bus the the national park....sooo instead went to the Polynesian Spa! Soaked in the hot pools, which were so hot you couldn't soak in them!!! Still amazing though, the hot water is heated from the thermal activity underground. One was 42 degrees! This spa is rated one of the top ten spa's in the world apparently 8-) Went back to the hostel and had a good night out in the club below called Lava Bar.

Next day, we went Lubing!!! Actually called 'Luging'. It's basically Go Karting but without the engine so you fly down the mountain track on a sledge! Such good fun. Kla got cornered into the curb by one of the boys and has a huge disgusting bruise on her thigh :( haha.

Next day, we chilled out. Boys played football in the sunshine, girls sunbathed :) In the evening we all went in the hot pool at our hostel and had a few drinks.

Next stop. Waitomo.

xxxxx