Day 5 Waikite Valley

The replacement van arrives in the morning. The move to the new van takes two hours. It's completely white with no advertising on it, almost like my old VW bus in Spain. That can only be a good thing! After restocking supplies at the Pak'n'save supermarket in Rotorua, we head to the Wai O Tapu thermal pools. Bubbling, boiling, and smoking gases emerge from the ground everywhere, even from some manhole covers on the road. The day ends as planned in Waikite Valley, slightly off the main tourist routes. The geothermal pools are located right at the campsite. Campers and locals relax in several pools with different temperatures. The warmth feels good but also makes you tired. The whole campsite goes to sleep at 9 p.m.