Pooh, said Piglet

Saturday 5th. Another day of driving from Napier to Rotorua via Taupo. Today we followed the Thermal Explorer Touring Route. Sounds quite grand really. Along the route today are various springs and bubbling mud pools, spouting geysers and natural geothermal mineral pools. 

On the way we stopped at Walpunga Falls. We could only view them from a distance. 

At Taupo we decided to avoid the town mainly because of a major cycle rally through the town. The view from the lookout was very good. 

On the way out of Taupo we had our first chance to see some hot springs. But first a Devonshire cream tea! 

And then we thought of the drive ahead and decided not to spend time walking round this particular spring where you had to pay an entrance fee. 

Instead, we drove on to Waiotapu where, not only did we find a thermal stream but also an active mud pool, and, all for free! 

But the smell reminded me of some of our more spectacular school experiments. 

It was fascinating watching the mud bubbling, a process that has been going on for many, many years. 

Once in Rotorua we went to the lakeside to admire the view. 

Supper tonight was in Eat Street, a street in town where all the restaurant owners got together, closed the road and put a roof over the top. You have a choice of a dozen or more eating places all in the same area. There was quite a buzz about the place and everywhere was full.