Rotorua & Lake Taupo

Rotorua is a hot springs area with some amazing colored springs, so toured around there till the thunderstorms tried to come in.  They really just passed over so I headed further south to Lake Taupo, a huge lake that really takes your breath away.  Warm clear water, with mountains all around.  Great camp site in a field next to it.  

Between the cave adventure and hiking Rotorua and a brief walk by the lake, I was out by 9pm. 

Driving thus far – truly south of Auckland it looks just like Pennsylvania – the rural parts kinda north of Pittsburgh, hilly with lots of farms. 

Not only am I not liking the heat, the locals feel the same way – they all state they should have had this weather 2 months ago, not now!  I concur..as my sun poison did show up:(  

Everything is bone dry too, especially here on the South Island. Rivers, streams are really stone beds, and all the farmers have sprinklers going.   Yes, they are sprinklers not irrigation lines!!! I have to stop and get a picture – at first I thought they had them out for the cows….then I saw them in the fields as well 🙂 

Cows and sheep – lots and lots grazing and also in ‘special delivery’ trucks…Kiwis like their beef and mutton. 

Driving the rest of the North Island, reminded me of both Colorado and New Mexico scenery – quite the variety.  So far on the South Island – it’s all just like Colorado, especially the Durango area.  And so far I have seen 2 herds of the red stag deer, at least that’s what they looked like to me!!  

Well phone’s gonna die and my Benadryl is kicking in – sleep well my friends!  PJS out –