Left Rotorua and called in at the Agrodome which is a tourist attraction covering farm tours and various shows. Watched the show that displayed the 19 varieties of sheep in NZ - quite a selection. A light hearted show that satisfied T’s urge to get up close to some lambs! Continued on journey via a lovely forested area that also had mini volcanoes that had been formed years ago after an eruption. Weather variable -mainly rain. Pleased that we had the IPod to provide entertainment during the rainy spells. Stopped at Tirau which is a small town that is becoming an arts and crafts centre. Main attraction was the giant animals! We then stopped at Cambridge because we couldn’t just pass it by! An attractive leafy town off the main road.
Arrived in Hamilton and found the Ibis Hotel by the river. Not quite the leafy spot we envisaged as right in the CBD. Just having a break watching the cricket before we venture out for a riverside walk to the gardens and something to eat. May not have pictures of sheep show or Hamilton tonight as only have limited internet access at the hotel.
Early start tomorrow for long drive to the Bay of Islands. Went on our first stretch of motorway today for about 10 miles - limit is 110 kilometres - usually 100 - about the same as the UK. Went out for a walk by the river. The hotel actually does look over the river from the other side of the hotel and we took a lovely riverside walk trying to find the paddle steamer jetty. Didn’t have any luck but managed to stroll through two nice parks. Walked away down the main street trying to find a restaurant then found an Indian restauarnr down the side street right next to the hotel!