Rotorua and Hamilton

It was a rather chilly night at Turangi, thank goodness for our diesel heater keeping us nice and toasty.  We used the camp shower block in the morning, great water pressure but the buildings themselves could do with a little TLC.  Then it was time to hook up the van and get on our way, skirting Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand, over 40km long and 30km wide, getting a glimpse of Motutaiko Island.  Lake Taupo had a violent beginning, created by a violent series of eruptions which occurred approximately1800 years ago.

Motutaiko Island in Lake Taupo

We decided to take the road less traveled and drove along Broadlands Road via Reporoa for a change, stopping at the Reporoa Memorial Hall and reading the information board which provided some local history.  Reporoa means “long swamp” and way back in 1901 forest planting commenced.  But the township did not get electricity until 1952 – that seems rather late to us.

A brief stop at Reporoa

Then it was on the the Ngongotaha NZMCA Park, just north of Rotorua for the night.  Although the park is now open to members, the meeting room is locked up tight so there was no book swapping going on – a bit of a shame as I had a bag of paperbacks to recycle.  Members must sign on under the awning.  There is plenty of hand sanitiser around, so things are not completely back to normal just yet.

Although not completely full, the site had quite a few visitors staying.  Its good to see caravanners out and about again.  Our next door neighbour was interested in our cat Gemma, and related how he used to own a Birman cat himself, which followed him everywhere like a puppy dog.

Overnighting at Ngongotaha

From our elevated position, I could just get a glimpse of Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island.  The Maori legend goes that Hinemoa, a girl of high birth, loved Tutanakai who lived on Mokoia Island but was forbidden to marry him.  Every evening she sat on a rock at the lake edge, listening to the sound of his flute coming cross the water.  One night she decided to join him, swimming all the way to the island aided by floating gourds, and the young pair were reunited.  The families relented and the young couple lived happily together.

A glimpse of Lake Rotorua and Mokoi Island

My goodness, it was cold overnight at Ngongotaha, and we awoke to quite a heavy frost.  Then the gas bottle ran out, and Robin had to get out of the warm cozy bed to switch the tanks over.  At least it didn’t happen in the dead of night, as it often does.  As we were due to overnight at the Leisureline factory in Hamilton we planned to arrive in the late afternoon, so had quite a leisurely drive up, stopping briefly at Fitzgerald Glade.  Such a pretty drive, traveling through an avenue of trees with the sun filtering through.  I said hello to Barny the donkey, who shares his paddock with a couple of rather handsome goats, and several chooks.

The road to Fitzgerald Glade, and Barny the donkey

There was quite a change in the weather as we got closer to Cambridge, with thick fog everywhere.  It was only 2.00pm and the trees were barely visible as we drove along, making we wonder if the fog had been around all day, and just hadn't cleared.

A very foggy afternoon in Cambridge

Then the sun appeared and we left the fog behind, arriving at Hamilton in sunshine, although a little chilly in the shade.  We were told where to park up for the night, and were put on power, which is always welcome.  It will be an early start to the morning when the workmen come to take the caravan for it’s service.  We will have to take the cat and go out for the day till the work is completed.

Here for the night

There was also another van staying overnight and booked in for some work the following day, and we met fellow Leisureline owners John and Lynn.  They travel with their pretty bird, a Lutino Indian Ring neck called Jamie.  Here he is happily perched on the shoulder of one of the Leisureline staff.

Hello Jamie, who’s a pretty boy then?

It’s always nice to have the occasional meal out when we are traveling, the Golden Dragon does very tasty Chinese food, just a short drive away.  I was a little worried about eating from a buffet, but with zero Covid cases reported now, I presume we will be fine - I made sure I used the hand sanitiser provided on entry and leaving the restaurant.  Hamilton always gets a lot of fog, and it was like driving through pea soup both there and back.

No cooking tonight

It will be an early start in the morning, the workmen usually come to collect the van to work on it bright and early.  We will take Gemma and go out in the car for the day, until we get a phone call to say the work is completed and the caravan is ready to go.