With a very damp and windy start to the day, we set off on a quick tour of the local town of Tauranga. After the mandatory refuel at the local fruit store we headed to the seaside town of Mt Maunganui. A brief walk on the sand in the ice cold wind kick started our senses before heading due south to Rotorua. On the way we stopped at Okere Falls, for a very short lived 5 minutes of sunshine. While Mic was busy snapping waterfalls, Sarah was happily roaming the countryside admiring all the newly born lambs, in what looked to be the country side from the movie Babe. Back on the road again we swung a left hand turn to Hells Gate, a geothermal field. The immediate over intoxicating smell of Sulphur (i.e.. rotten eggs) was too overpowering and Mic ensured we quickly kept motoring on to Rotorua. As we drove into the town we could barely see for the pouring rain, in fact we totally missed the centre of town and had to do another u - turn. We decided to brave the weather and checked out Whakarewarewa - a Maori Thermal Village. After standing in the shelter for a few minutes the sun gods decided to appear and again we chanced a hand full of images before the rain gods took reign again!!! Back on the road we headed for Taupo, as we travelled the weather deteriorated further, with the wind gods showing their strength, our poor little campervan was nearly blown off the road. Before entering Taupo we stopped at the Moon Craters. Again the weather was appalling. After much discussion on weather or not we should brave the weather and take out our camera gear, Sarah demanded that she should see sunshine for more then 5 mins at a time. Within 5 mins, the clouds parted and for half an hour the sun shone and we enjoyed a beautiful intoxicating walk around the thermal park. Back on the road again we travelled along the east side of lake Taupo, with the intention of see if we could find snow on the mountains. Again the campervan had a few heart bounding moments as it struggled to stay on the road in the gale force winds. After travelling for nearly an hour we glimpsed snow capped peaks breaking free of the cloud! We quickly hit the breaks and jumped out madly taking photos in case that was the best we would see. As we continued we drove through sleet, before arriving at the Grand Chateau and playing in the snow. It was hard to leave this magical place, but our budget didn't quiet stretch for a romantic interlude, so we pushed forth on again.. We did a loop back around the lower end of the Ranges and then head back for Taupo driving through the most dramatic barren landscape along the Dessert Rd. By far the biggest day on tour!!!!!
Take a look