I set off to Rotorua which is where my friends recommended. It is approx 2 hours south of Auckland and it a large lake with a few smaller lakes around. It also has a lot of spa resorts around & geysers ("gay sirs" for my fellow Iceland travellers). The whole area stinks of rotten eggs or sulphur for those in the know. I did a little drive along to the next couple of lakes & have to say the locals drive like bloody maniacs. These are mountainous, steep & twisty roads and they ride on your ass until they can get past. I went to the Pig & Whistle (yes I know it was cheesy) for a late lunch and then sat on the waterfront and met a lovely Canadian couple. They are semi-retired and do house-swaps for the Canadian winter months... nice if you can do it. A massive storm came over early this evening - yipee.. yet more rain as I have not seen enough. Bottle of vino & free broadband... can't be bad. x