Well what can I say - just like the rest of NZ we have seen so far we love Rotorua! The people that told us the smell was overpowering were a bit over the top. We didnt think it smelt that bad...we have certainly smelt worse! We arrived here when it was dark and pouring with rain so finding our campsite was a bit of a mission. But find it we did and we settled down for our first night here. On our first full day we headed to a thermal reserve called Kuirau Park and its steaming mud pools, what a wicked place! The heat and the smell of sulphur did nothing to take away from what an amazing spectacle this was! Our next stop was the Government Gardens with its bowling greens and rose gardens all in immaculate condition. After a great day we headed back to our campsite for the night where we got mobbed by ducks...well we are right on the edge of Lake Rotorua! How we laughed! ha ha. That night we prepared ourselves for our first real taste of Maori culture - Te Puia. Te Puia is an absolutely amazing place with its exhibits giving you a real insight into what I think is one of the most fascinating cultures on earth. For me this is what I was really looking forward to about the country and I wasnt dissapointed. I even had the privilage of being the chief of our little tour group for the tribal performance! The greeting party came out of the Marae and a warrior came towards me performing a war dance which was a little bit scarey...afetr this we all followed into the Marae for a cultural show which was fantastic...especially when you get seats in the front row...well as a chief what more could I expect! I have to say a feel truly honoured to have been allowed this privilage, a truly humbling experience. Well, tomorrow we head to Lake Taupo and then the Tongariro National Park and a visit to Mount Doom. See ya! P+L xx