The route to Rotorua and then on to Tauranga was very interesting. It was called the thermal pools highway.

At various points we could see steam rising from springs in fields and from privately owned spas.

We are finding nothing is free in this area and requires a bus journey or a boat trip to view the wonders. There are geysers and salt pools, gushing waterfalls and warm thermal pools. We stopped at some mud pools. They were so funny the noise the mud made as it exploded was a “flub” sound rather than a “glug” sound!

I took some videos of the steaming mud explosions. There was a smell of sulphur but not too bad.

We passed a large area of fruit and hop growing and a kiwi fruit area. We had a salad there with kiwi fruit in it very nice. The kiwis grow like vines and hang down like grapes.

Our motel is very nice and has its own thermal pool at 33c must try it out tonight

We are right on the Bay of Plenty east coast 100 miles south of Auckland