New Zealand

We slept well last night and got to breakfast at around 9:15 am this morning. We ate in the library this morning, which was very nice.

After breakfast, we decided to take a short drive to the Craters of the Moon Thermal Area, a region with geothermal activity north of Taupo. It is a part of Wairakei, the largest geothermal field in New Zealand. However, when we got there, it started to rain so we backtracked and visited a well-known local glass-blowing gallery. We enjoyed looking around but avoided the temptation to buy anything. We then circled back to the geothermal field (after we’d gone via the lodge to collect some umbrellas).

The walk around the geothermal area was very pleasant. The rain held off too, which helped.

After the walk around the geothermal field, we decided to head back to the lodge for some lunch.

After lunch, we went back to our rooms for an afternoon rest. Keith decided to try some fishing (but no one else was keen enough to join in!).

We all met up again at about 6:30 pm and headed to the lounge for pre-dinner drinks and canapés.

At about 7:00 pm, we moved from the lounge to the cellar for a lovely private dinner for just the four of us.

After a beautiful dinner, we headed back to our rooms. Tomorrow we are heading back up to Auckland to get the flight home, so we’re going to have to be up a bit earlier. The flight doesn’t leave until later in the day, but the drive back to the airport will take a few hours, so we have to be up and organised to leave the lodge around 9:30 am. So, for now, it’s off to bed.