We departed very early in the morning for Rotorua, our next destination in New Zealand. We were pleased to be heading to the North Island, which meant that the climate would be a little more forgiving, less prone to bone-chilling sub-zero temperatures.
A complete contrast to Christchurch, Rotorua definitely had an American feel to it. Fenton Street, where we stayed, was lined with motels, many of them sporting neon signs.
The above picture was taken in Te Whakarewarewa, the Thermal Village. Yes, I know that's a long name, but that's shorter than the full name which is Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao. So there.
Aki and I had been impressed with Beppu in Kyushu a couple of months back, but the volcanic activity here was substantially more evident. The ground was venting steam at every possible opportunity. A bubbling mud pool is visible at the bottom of the photo.