Leaving behind the busy town of Rotoura (was a canoe conference on….) We set off to Orakei Korako, the local geo thermal site. On the way we stopped at some very hot mud pools. Not for facial use. Orakei Korako (Maori for “The Place of Adorning”), is a highly active geothermal area most notable for its series of fault-stepped  terraces, located in a valley north of Taupo on the banks of the Waikato river. All very spectacular. Long walk around but well worth it. After a coffee and some carrot cake we had of to Napier.

A quick detour to Haku falls and a ham roll and another set of beautiful falls in the wilderness and we reach lake Taupo. With a surface area of 616 square kilometres (238 sq mi), it is the largest lake by surface area in New Zealand,  According to geological records, the volcano has erupted 28 times in the last 27,000 years. Thats alot I take it. Must have been a site for sure.

Then onto the highlite of the day.The winery at Esk Valley. WooT. loverly wines and tasted most of them lol..Dragged ourselves into Napier the Art Deco Town.

After the Earthquake leveled the city in 1931, they rebuilt the place in 2 years and most of the buildings are still there in good nick. It all looked quite 1930ish. Had a guided tour. Nice. Dinner and Bed…long trip to Wellington in the morning. Meeting a friend there for dinner. Should be fun.