We started out this morning in stinky Rotorua. It’s a wonderful setting and we are sure the people who live there don’t even notice the hydrogen sulphide smell afer a while, but it’s no coincidence that it has a nickname ‘Rottenrua’. Very unfair, but the gas smell really affects your breathing. We had a walk and a coffee downtown but soon felt the need to get out of there.
Black swans love it here!
This is a beautiful region of lake after lake as you head back to the coast at Whakatane.
We stopped in at Whakatane to see the town. Lots of holidaymakers there although it was also the weekend.
From there we drove through the very hilly region between the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne on the east coast. Lots of sheep, beef, and twisty roads until we suddenly emerged into very familiar vineyards.
Gisborne is a very nice, quite laid back, port town. Ships in the harbour are loading logs. We had a good walk around in search of locales and did a beach walk around and back to the harbour. On the way we passed the point where Captain Cook first put in to New Zealand but the initial encounter with the Maoris at Poverty Bay didn’t work out well for both sides.
Thirsty by now - and with something to celebrate - we pitched up at The Works where Julian was treated to dinner for his 70th birthday by The. What a lovely experience, the food and wine were outstanding. I never would have guessed I would be so far from my place of birth 70 years on. But much easier for me that it was for Captain Cook!
From the hill in the background we could be the first people in the world to see the sunrise tomorrow! I wonder if we will be motivated to get up that early.
Tomorrow we are off to Napier in Hawkes Bay, a renowned wine region so two nights will be necessary!
Lookin good Ruben
ReplyDelete