Russell – Auckland – Huntly – Rotorua

Instead of retracing our tracks from Russell we took advice that the ferry to Opua would save a lot of time, and so it proved as were back at Whangerei a good half an hour quicker than travelling northbound. A recommended coffee stop at Warkworth, The Honey Centre, allowed us to watch bees at work in their hives through transparent walls, and to have their body language explained, as they communicated the direction and distance of the pollen source to the other inmates.

Once on to the major road north of Auckland we made much more rapid progress than anticipated and stopped at the Tourist Information site at Huntly to ask for recommendations for accommodation and optimum sights to visit in a limited time. As I have said earlier the service provided at these places is absolutely first-rate, and seemingly without any financial additions. A good motel at a reasonable rate was booked for us, and positive statements about where to go and where not.

Rotorua had many of the layout hallmarks that are typical of an American town, when you first encounter it – the used car lots, McDonalds next to Burger King, wide boulevards nicely manicured, car parking spaces that didn’t require dieting before getting in or out of a car – but uniquely wafted the slight odour of sulphur into tranquil corners. It was strange how open street junctions seemed to have clean air where a breeze was blowing but alcoves and shop doorways, where it was sheltered, had that aroma of rotting eggs…if you’ve ever smelt rotting eggs.

The motel was good with very welcoming and helpful owners, who provided advice on where to prioritise our short time and, as it turned out, were on our wavelength.

We wandered into town for some shopping and supper. After looking at every menu we chose a restaurant called Fat Dog, not for the name but because they had one of those chalkboard menus that told it like it was. Now I’m not one to leave a plate uncleared, but for the record: if ever you are in Rotorua, feeling peckish, and fancy a steak sandwich with potato wedges, go to Fat Dog. I left about a third of the wedges!!