LAKE TAUPO ou

This was a good decision to break the journey here.  On the way I stopped at a geothermal park which has a geyser called Lady Knox which blows at 10:15 everyday...whilst sitting there waiting for the big event one of my neighbours commented that it was amazing that this happened at the same time everyday.  Myself (Mr cynical) and a German guy both came to the conclusion that there was someone underneath stoking the boilers...not quite, but at 10:15 Along comes this kiwi guy with a bag of "stuff" and explains how this happens.
Approx every twenty fours hours the two chambers beneath build enough pressure to give off a spout...to encourage this reaction he stuffs the bag of surfactant (similar to detergent) down the hole and stands back.  After about two minutes the geyser erupts for about another two minutes...the audience fight for the best photo positions and the Japanese win with the Germans a close second and the Aussies in bronze medal position.  The Brits were too well mannered to offend anyone so got the worst photos.  This park called WAI-O-TAPU is a must and good value...I spent about three hours here although I got lost with four young German girls who were following me because I looked as though I knew where I was going...silly girls.   Next stop on the journey down from rotorua to Taupo was HUKA FALLS quite a spectacular water fall not high but very rapid through a narrow gorge, similar to Niagara after the main falls.   There is a jet boat which performs crazy manoeuvres right up to the final cascade and people pay good money (£57.50) for the pleasure.  I'm saving mine for the South Island where there is scarier one.
Once again a nice easy days driving in ETTIE with good weather until around 18:00.
I checked in to a TOP 10 Holiday Park...it is massive but only 50%full at the most.  The facilities are excellent...the kitchen in particular is both spotlessly clean and modern.   Once more I wondered about the culinary expertise of these campervan people.  There was a Vietnamese woman cooking up Duck with Pakistan choi and other veg in a wok for her husband and son.  An English woman was cooking lamb chops with crushed garlic potatoes and broccoli with a home made mint sauce using the herbs from the camp garden.  I was dining on frankfurter sausages and beans on toast., eaten out of the pot to save on the washing up.   I will have to rethink this cooking idea as I had the preconceived notion that campervan people roughed it...not true.
FLIES...I didn't mentions this subject earlier but as you may know the NZs are paranoid (and rightly so) about any foreign beasties or plant diseases getting into the country.
When I was in Auckland a fruit fly was discovered in a suburb, so they locked down the whole neighbourhood, not permitting any vegetable matter in or out.  They set traps and caught three of his mates...job done?
When I was in rotorua the first night I made the mistake of leaving the light on in van with the door open...party time for the LAKE FLIES, in they came and refused to leave...I ended up with the portable light outside to attract them out, this worked on around 90% but there is always the hardcore party animals who stay until the end...most of them died after being swiped by the dish towel.  They didn't bite me but my South African neighbours got more than there share.  Before I came away from Scotland I bought AVON "skin so soft" which as guys at Finnsrt oil terminal will testify to keeps the little chaps at bay. Our midgies are bigger than the NZs cousins.  A young guy from Texas told me not use it all up as the sand flies in the south are more ferocious and do give severe bites, I may need it.
That is all for tonight, the gentle thumping of the rain on the roof of the van is quite soothing and it is nearly 22:00...time for sleep.
No time to proof read this as the wifi connection is poor and I'm afraid I might lose all this rambling.