Some rainier weather

Our next stop was Waihi Beach. Unfortunately it was quite rainy, so we went to a few cafes, a flash restaurant for dinner and...

...the next day we went to some hot pools for a relaxing soak.

Then through an atmospheric Karangahake Gorge and down to the Firth Tower, near Matamata, where the sun came out again.

 

Thames and Te Aroha

First stop today (after coffee) was the Thames School of Mines. This museum tells the story of the school, set up by the government after the gold rush days. It is in the original old buildings and was well worth the visit.

The pink and white rock was from the pink and white terraces, pre eruption.

Next stop was Te Aroha, where we are stopped for the night. After lunch we headed to the hot pools for a soak. Te Aroha was developed as a spa town in the Victorian/Edwardian era and the domain is full of heritage buildings.

Lemon and Te Aroha soda is being made again. It was the first fizzy drink made in the area - before the more famous L&P made in neighbouring Paeroa.

Quirkiness in Te Aroha... and a relaxing soak.

 

Ngawha Hot Pools

Leaving Awanui we drove past Taipa to Cable Bay, where we walked along the beach. There were sandy areas and rock pools.

Back in Kaeo we returned to the Mad Hatter cafe...

...then had a fossick in the antique/second hand/book shop.

I would need a lot of time here, which we didn't have, so will have to revisit another time.

Final stop on our tiki tour - Ngawha Hot Springs. This pool complex has been upgraded since our last visit a few years ago.

There were many small pools of differing temperature. Traditionally, as well as relaxing, the pools were known to have healing properties. The water in some pools was black, in others green. Temperatures were from 30-40 degrees.

 

A more watery day

Three of us visited Te Aroha on a cloudy day. First we went around the wetlands where we saw ducks and swans...

and a piano beneath the trees.

It was a bit English with the exotic (non-native) trees.

Te Aroha's Domain is Edwardian and always pretty despite the grey skies.

We checked out the hot pools...

...including the recently renovated bath house number 2. These are mineral pools and good for the skin. Also a relaxing change from all our walking and cycling. 

Te Aroha and Paeroa

Another sunny, clear, cold day. After leaving Rotorua our first stop was Te Aroha where e headed to the hot pools for a soak.

Our favourite pool is just out of sight, in front of the little building. It's like a big spa pool and is the hottest.

We had hoped to have a session in the recently restored Edwardian bath house but it was fully booked.

The buildings and layout of the Domain reflect the prosperity Te Aroha enjoyed in Edwardian times, when it was a popular spa town.

Just down the road is Paeroa, where we parked for the night beside the rail trail.

Another town full of antique shops...

We spent a quiet evening at Paeroa before heading home, our first trip in the new bus completed.

Rainy Rotorua

First stop after leaving Cambridge was Tirau, world famous in New Zealand for its corrugated everything. The sheep and ram are buildings...

Even the sign outside the dairy is corrugated.

In Rotorua we freedom camped on Hinemoa Street, right beside the Polynesian Spa (hot pools)...

...and right beside this little pond, complete with fountain.

After a visit to the hot pools with our friends, Malcolm and I went for a walk along this part of the lake, first passing an area full of sculpture...

...and the museum.

This part of the lakeside had steaming mud,lots of birdlife,

and more sculpture.

Looping back to the bus we walked through the museum grounds...

these are two of the carvings around the monument.

Then off to a restaurant for dinner with our friends.