Sent Jacob and Angie to the beach while we packed up the cottage.

On our way to Rotorua we decided on take the coast road to take in the last the Bay of Plenty had to offer. It was a very windy road as we travelled from headland to headland and soon discovered that What they call scenic reserves means bloody steep and windy.

Stopped a few lookouts/beaches on the way to stretch the legs and settle the tummy. Stopped at Tauranga to walk up Mount Maunganui. Joel and Caitlyn got to the top but I stayed behind with Jacob and Angela - we got about 1/3 of the way up. The view of the coast and beyond was fantastic and you could just make out White Island on the horizon.

We hit the road again and decided to have one last look at the oven before we headed inland. We pulled in at Papamoa and must of times it perfectly as there was a seal resting on the beach near the surf. Got close enough to have a good look before a few too many people came and started getting too close and the seal popped back into the ocean - probably to find a quieter section of beach to rest on.

On route to Rotorua we stopped at Okere Falls. There were some very specky rapids here and is where people go white water rafting. There was also an old staircase that you could walk down and some caves where the Māori would hid the women and children in times of conflict.

Arrived at Rotorua hand checked in - King of Sports Motel. The rooms, hot water and pool are all geothermally heated so everything was nice and toasty. The hosts were awesome and VERY welcoming. Went for a quick walk before dinner to check out the geyser that we we told about - which goes off about once and hour and makes the whole place smell revolting. Could not get close enough to the geothermal activity as it is all fenced off - pay to look only. While we were snooping around a big Māori bloke came up (security) to talk to us, and looks are certainly deceiving in kiwi land - we had a great chat with him and paid us of for being Aussies etc and another guy even gave us a lift back to the motel and tried to offer us his dinner also - it's ok I'll just get Maccas - which we politely refused.

Back in the room we reflected on just home friendly everyone has been - having so much fun!!