From Rotorua to the Art Deco City ....

.... Napier ✨

From our accommodation in Rotorua, we first drove to the Wai-o-Tapu Wonderland: an area with numerous hot springs, mud pools, sulfur lakes, geysers, and other volcanic features. The start - at Lady Knox Geyser - was disappointing. This geyser was assisted with a kind of bath foam to bring it to 'eruption.' The other parts of the Wonderland made up for it, including the Champagne Pool and a large sulfur lake that could be crossed on a wooden walkway.

From there, we drove for almost two hours through a nearly deserted plateau filled with endless forests and very few sheep pastures towards Taupo. During this drive, we encountered a vintage car that was also on its way to Napier .... more on that in a 'Special' later.

By early afternoon, we arrived at our accommodation in Napier, checked in, and explored this city surrounded by vineyards in Hawke's Bay. Napier was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt in the Art Deco style in the following years. The self-proclaimed title of 'World Art Deco Capital' is not without merit .... see for yourself!