Smelly towns...

Today began further movement south away from Auckland and toward Wellington, where we will then head on to Nelson and South Island. Heading to Rotorua and Taupo meant the smell of sulphur as we entered areas of springs, steaming land, boiling muds, and geysers.
An early start, pancakes and a quick pack up and we were on our way. First stop - zorbing. I did not participate, as motion sickness often gets the better of me, but thoroughly enjoyed watching others roll down the hill, and turn green! No time for lunch and we were off to white water rafting! As a grade 5, we participated in rafting on the Kaituna (eel food in Maori) and rafting down the highest commercially rated waterfall in the world at 7m. It was absolutely freezing getting into the wetsuits and nerves kicked in as we practiced on dry land for what to do in the event of flipping over, or what to do if we fell out. We got to the water and began and it was fantastic fun. It took a while to get to grips with the gear but then we were going down rapids, and tackled the first 1m and then 3m waterfalls.
Then it was time for the big one. The first group of six went over and surfaced well. Then it was our turn. We paddled towards it then ducked down on "Get down" command, holding on to the surrounding ropes with the tightest grips possible. We crested the top of the falls, turned down horizontally, and this is the last thing I remember. The boat flipped and next thing I knew I dropped my paddle and held on for dear life to the boat (as told to do so). The water was pulling and tugging in all directions trying to drag me under and I was panicked trying to find the air pocket in the raft. I finally found it pulling myself into it and took a deep breathe, shaker from the cold water , the adrenaline and the fear of being under water for what felt like hours but what was probably only 5-10seconds. The instructor found us, 3 still holding onto the boat, 3 scattered around and we were doomed flipped over and back in. After a quick breather the funny side of the situation was found and we were soon pushing each other out of the boat again. More rapids followed, including head first plunges where we rotated who was sat at the front of the boat. It was a fantastic hour and we were soon home and dry, with a pie, and on the road again!!
Taupo is our stop for tonight at the Tiki backpackers hostel.
The plan for the night was pizza takeaway (well-needed). Then we went on a little adventure to find hot springs. We went to the park where we were told to find them, descended the large slope and stairs, only to find a locked gate surrounded by barbed wires and steel poles that would I impale you with one wrong move. We came out the same entrance, cursing our guide, and looking for another entrance. We walked about 2km down the road, followed the path then decided to take a shortcut across a paddock. The mist and fog descended however and members of the group were soon in fear and concern over getting lost' for milling around and wandering in the most we found the path and headed towards the water. We got there and found a Luke warm pool. After walking upstream however, clambering over rocks In the pitch black we got to a gorgeous warm pool and settled for a while looking at the stars and enjoying the sound and warmth of the water.
We were soon ready to go and had a cold, but less fearful and disorientated journey back to the van! Back at the hostel and time for a warm shower and good sleep before the morning!!


The photos of today are of the lodge we had for the last couple of days.
And finally an image of a view from a point above Taupo of Mt Ruapehu, Ngahuhoe and Mt Tongariro.