Ok so the next few days got a bit smelly. No nothing to do with Erich but the next few day we were in volcano craters with hot springs, mud pools, and geysers.
First we spent a day at Lake Taupo, which is stunning. Our hotel overlooked the lake and going direct out the back gate was hot springs into the lake. We quickly learnt that these were boiling, but if you picked your spot right you could stand in the lake with the mix of the hot and cold water in pure bliss!
Between Lake Taupo and Rotarua was the “craters of the moon” which was an area with lots of geothermal smelly activity. It’s a strange place with steam out of the ground and bubbling mud… And quite smelly too from the sulphur
We also visited the Huka falls and we’re lucky with our timing to see a traditional Haka. Two different Maori tribes in the bridge over the falls for what looked like a wedding ceremony. It was both beautiful and scary at the same time.
Via a few more stops on the way including the “lava glass” which had beautiful gardens, we then arrived in Rotarua
Rotorua was FANTASTIC. Our first afternoon we went for a walk through the beautiful redwood forest. Some of the biggest redwood pines we’ve ever seen
We had booked the Happy Ewes cycle tour miles in advance and turned up early to meet our guide Roge, who told us we were the only ones on the tour. To read more about his check out trip advisor, my review has “mint tour” in the title. We did lawn bowls with Roge at the end of the tour ( which I won may I add) and the headed to the pub for some beers all together. An absolutely fantastic day
Rotorua Christmas tree from recycled bikes. Such a cool place! 
We were a little sad to leave Rotorua, but the adventures continued and after some recommendations from Roge as to route and what to see we set off next morning for Whitianga!