I think we were a little slow on the uptake with our trip planning, because once again, we left Raglan late afternoon with a good 150km of driving ahead of us before we reached Rotorua. We must have been suckers for punishment with the whole searching for a place to stay by nightfall lark. Bypassing Hamilton, the industrial capital of NZ according to our bible we were heading inland where we could make our beeline to the south. As we approached the infamous sulphur city, we quickly realized how its nickname had come about. It took a full blown argument on who had soiled themselves in the van before finally reaching the consensus that it was actually the stench of the town from outside the van. It was tempting to pull over and tape every single vent and airflow into our camper. It really was THAT bad.

Having settled for the night on a dumping site of all places, and tom nearly hit by a falling tree bear, we had our night caps and rested up for our adrenaline filled day ahead. Quick mention on the night caps, this referred to the 4 litres of spirits that filled our cooler box. So it was more of a skin full than night cap. Plus, if you could drink enough to disengage your sense of smell, you were on to a winner.

Another fairly early start so us up and about heading for Te Puia, Whakarewarewas' most famous natural attractions, the mud pools and geysers. Quote from our bible "Breathe in the sulphur rich air of Rotorua and you've already got a taste for NZ's most dynamic thermal are..." Happy days, we've already tasted a heap load of sh*t, let's go and taste some more. All the Maori culture aside and learning that Rochdales' very own Gracie Fields had a certain influence in Te Puia, it was quite the disappointment. Another extortionate sum of money to walk around an area of park of mud pools and a geyser that wasn't exactly what I'd hoped for. I've had steamier showers than that! But we'll come to that in the Queenstown chapter. I think I was half expecting a volcanic eruption or something...

So in dire need of a thrill, we headed to the Skyline up Mt Ngongotoha. The gongola cruise up this mountain side is almost like the calm before the storm. The panoramic views of the lake from the top are great, but not a scratch on the sky swing or speedy luge track that followed.

The Accident...

So passes in hand, helmets on heads (steady...) we queued for our first ever attempt at high speed karting down the side of a mountain. 3 lanes. Scenic, intermediate and advanced tracks. Pull back on the handles to stop, push slightly forward whilst leaning back to go. Simple, no? Scenic is compulsory on your first attempt! Up step the Schumacher brothers. Tom sits in first and with a total disregard for the signs, rules and very unhappy luge attendant; he sets off down the advanced track. Not very sporting but brilliant none the less. But the cheating b*stard has now got a head start so I hurry past the attendant who is now extremely unhappy and begin my pursuit. All goes well first time down. The track literally disappears vertically on the bends, there are insane lift off parts on the track and it is stupidly fast if you put your weight forwards on the straights. As I discovered when over taking tom on the second to last bend to take the chequered flag. Brilliant race! Queue round two..

Again, Cheat McCheaterson sets off about 10 yards in front of me, giggling as he does so. On the third bend I was closing ranks as I noticed tom lose control momentarily in front of me. A bit of a kart wobble and using his hand to bounce off the wall, he gained control and glided free. Me on the other hand, had seen all this and taken my concentration off the track. I basically followed his exact same route, but going that little bit faster in my pursuit was unable to gain control back. My kart toppled and I was sent scraping head first into the wall. All I remember was the bang and then a gasp from all the concerned on looking mothers etc. You've all seen the finale of Cool Runnings' right?! So I flipped my kart of, took a bit of a run up and set off hurtling after Captain Slow. Gutting, I'd lost the race...and had a stonking headache and a few cuts and grazes for my troubles.

We called it a day, after a couple more races that is, and set off on our way to Taupo.