Forgot to mention yesterday that our route took us through lots of orchards growing avocados (avos as the locals call them) and kiwifruit.
The Avo grows on a tree about the size of an apple or pear tree in the UK. KIwi is grown on a vine like grapes. Interesting fact for you all, and me too.
Today the weather is brilliant so, after a great breakfast we went about 20mins out of town to a place called Wai o Tapu where we saw all the geothermal stuff. They had a geyser which spouted about 15ft in the air and lots of sulphuric ponds. It was very stinky but also very interesting.
This afternoon we went up a gondola style ski lift and did a spot of wine tasting, had a walk and got the most spectacular views of Lake Rotorua- it's huge.

Just had the most weird experience. The hotel has a thermal swimming pool and about 6 hot tub style pools round the edge. Part of the exterior wall is open to the elements, no doubt to let the sulphur smells out. So I am sat up to my neck in 41 degrees of hot water.......listening to Michael Buble singing Chestnuts Roasting on the Open Fire. It's all so odd. Christmas trees and BBQ on the beach it doesn't seem right.
Just been out for a meal and sat next to a couple from Millhouses Sheffield- it's a small world.