Rotorua and Taupo

We arrived in Rotorua to be greeted by the smell of rotten eggs as promised in the guidebook. The smell was worth it though as it was due to all the sulphur and thermal activity in the area. Visiting the thermal springs was a somewhat unworldly experience with steam swirling around bubbling pools and geysers in the hills. We also saw a Maori Haka and concert in the traditional Maori meeting house.
We went on from Rotorua to Taupo, which sits on the shore of the lake of the same name. The plan was for this to be our base for a trip to Mordor (The Tongariro Crossing) but unfortuately Saruman has been working his magic with the weather again and all trips were cancelled for today. Hopefully he will be vanquished by tomorrow.....

Meanwhile we have had to content ourselves with some strolls around the lake and also a run out to Huka Falls. On the way back from the Falls we found time for a dip in a thermal spa (rather like having a nice soak in the bath except while surrounded by beautiful river and woodland!). The falls themselves were pretty good too...