Travelling again

I looked back on my last post and realised it has been a while since I last wrote. I guess my excuse is that we have been travelling and taking some time out as a family. Much needed might I add as well. We went to Tauranga and stayed with Nigel's parents which was lovely. We took a day out to go to Rotorua, New Zealand's cultural city (see left). It is a beautiful spot set on lake Rotorua. It is famous for it's geothermal activity and historic Maori village sites.

We visited Te Puia which is one of the most well known geothermal areas. We saw boiling mud pools, pooling water pools where the Maori traditionally cooked food and also a couple of geysers. They were amazing. The smell is what really takes your breath away though. The kind of stink of rotten eggs pervades the whole city. We soaked in geothermal hot pool and all came out smelling of sulphur.

The really fun part of the day was riding the gondola up the mountain and hooning down it on a luge. The boys thought it was great! Nige was determined to take the advanced track and ride to his hearts content. I took the slower one with Isy as he was uncertain of the unknown and freaked a little at the speed he could go. Nevertheless he thoroughly enjoyed himself.

After Rotorua and Tauranga we went back to Palmerston North where we caught up with friends, played and did a little work. it was a nice week or so away. The weather has turned cooler so we have brought out our long sleeve shirts. Soon it will be time to put the fire on in the evenings. The electric blanket is being used already! It's nice to jump into a toasty bed and snuggle up in flanette pyjamas. Haven't done that in years!!!