deer farms?

We saw herds of fenced deer. They do eat a lot of venison...hum

Headed North to to the Bay of Islands

Paihia, the major small town to take the boats out to see islands and dolphins. This was the main whaling bay in the days of yore.

Does anyone know how to make the writing do what you want to on these blogs????

Maori village around thermal holes

Made it to the falls

We are on the Whangaparaoa Peinsula, just about an hour north of Auckland. I was almost an escaped felon there. We got a letter a few days later that we had left a gas station without paying. Luckily, it was delivered by the postman and not the police. Here you actually have to go inside to pay...a detail I obviously overlooked.

We made it to the falls after about an hour hike, counting photo stops through the rain forest Aren't they beautiful. Mark almost made it into the cold pool, the only one getting wet though was the dog that joined us as we were leaving.

The green lake

Can you believe this? Shelley dressed to match the lake, totally lime green. We did not make this up, promise.

First of hot pots area of Rotorua

This was like walking around on another planet. Rotorua area is the land of the existing Maori's.


Shelley, what is the name of this first one?

Haku Falls, Lake Tapau area

Huka Falls Jet ride. It was a crazy ride
through the river and growth on sides.
It is like riding a 16 passenger wave runner
with Ryan driving. The river was also a home to a huge flock of black swans. Fun!














Shelley, me and Megan

Rain Forest,

More scenes from hellfire and brimstone. We did have fun on this other planet...

When we got to a motel room in the little town (not having any reservations) we felt like we were on another planet too...ick.

But, it did have wifi. That plays a big part in decisions these days. We sat in the natural hot springs' another big ugh. It had a sign that said "do not put your head in water in fear of getting meningitis." Mark lasted about

30 seconds.