And relax
The time has come, the walrus said, to talk of many things. Of geysers and mudpools, of Maraes and Maoris, of volcanos, islands and dunes. The north island.
After arriving back in Auckland we headed down to Papamoa and the ever generous hospitality of Leihia and Liam. It felt like we were home again. It was coming up to easter weekend and so everyone had 4 days holiday. It was the time to have some fun.
Leihia's family live in Rotoroa, which is a thermal paradise of mudpools and geysers that comes from the fact that it is situated in a massive volcanic crater. So with slight trepidation we went to stay with them on Good friday (Leihia calls up the night before, asking if she could come to stay - with 8 other friends!) all camping out in the back garden of Sean (Leiha's brother) and his partner Tash. It was like a mini festival. Sean and Tash fed us wonderfully, and the beer and the conversation went on well into the night, and then the next day, and the night after that too :) People came, people went. Much fun was had.
It was now sunday and time to pack up our bags. After fond farewells we came back to Papamoa to catch up with the local jazz festival. What better way to spend a lovely easter sunday, listening to jazz and enjoying the sunshine. This is the life.
We had been invited back to Rotoroa to stay with Chris and Nevel (Leihia's mum and her partner) and seeing as we hadn't actually done any of the touristy thing, except our one trip out to the warm water stream which was lovely and relaxing, and to a beautiful Maori metting place (the Marae). So pretty. But anyways, there was much to see, and we hadn't really had a chance to see Chris during the weekend, so off back to Rotoroa. Sean took us out to show us around town, showing us amazing hot pools and lakes, the suplur making colours on the edges and with steam rising while he told us old Maori legends.
Next day, after seeing more of the wonders of volcanic nature, we realised it was time we actually got on the road. We only had a week left and the whole rest of the north island to see. Doh! That was bad planning. Oh well, only one thing to be done. Run back to Papamoa and watch Arsenal beat Villareal at Highbury :D
After arriving back in Auckland we headed down to Papamoa and the ever generous hospitality of Leihia and Liam. It felt like we were home again. It was coming up to easter weekend and so everyone had 4 days holiday. It was the time to have some fun.
Leihia's family live in Rotoroa, which is a thermal paradise of mudpools and geysers that comes from the fact that it is situated in a massive volcanic crater. So with slight trepidation we went to stay with them on Good friday (Leihia calls up the night before, asking if she could come to stay - with 8 other friends!) all camping out in the back garden of Sean (Leiha's brother) and his partner Tash. It was like a mini festival. Sean and Tash fed us wonderfully, and the beer and the conversation went on well into the night, and then the next day, and the night after that too :) People came, people went. Much fun was had.
It was now sunday and time to pack up our bags. After fond farewells we came back to Papamoa to catch up with the local jazz festival. What better way to spend a lovely easter sunday, listening to jazz and enjoying the sunshine. This is the life.
We had been invited back to Rotoroa to stay with Chris and Nevel (Leihia's mum and her partner) and seeing as we hadn't actually done any of the touristy thing, except our one trip out to the warm water stream which was lovely and relaxing, and to a beautiful Maori metting place (the Marae). So pretty. But anyways, there was much to see, and we hadn't really had a chance to see Chris during the weekend, so off back to Rotoroa. Sean took us out to show us around town, showing us amazing hot pools and lakes, the suplur making colours on the edges and with steam rising while he told us old Maori legends.
Next day, after seeing more of the wonders of volcanic nature, we realised it was time we actually got on the road. We only had a week left and the whole rest of the north island to see. Doh! That was bad planning. Oh well, only one thing to be done. Run back to Papamoa and watch Arsenal beat Villareal at Highbury :D
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