North IslandAucklandNot the most exciting city but the marina is fun, developed on the back of the America's Cup with great seafood restaurants
TongariroMt Ngauruhoe aka Mt Doom in Lord of the Rings - latter is rather easier to pronounce.
Red Crater & Emerald Lakes near the top of the 'Tongariro Crossing'
Summit Mt Tongariro, 1961m - good effort from a reluctant walker, Mts Ngauruhoe & Ruapehu in the background
White IslandNew Zealand's most active volcano - 50 km off the Bay of Plenty, short helicopter ride.
Fascinating but ever so slightly scary, Barb asked how much warning you get of an eruption - dry Kiwi response:"2 minutes if you're lucky"
Lake looks pretty from the air but it's super concentrated suphuric, hydrochloric & hydrofluoric acids with a negative pH - didn't know that was possible but it checks out. David asked how close he could go the edge prompting more dry Kiwi humour "Depends whether you want to come back - leave your valuables here"
RotoruaInteresting if a little odorous. Waimangu Valley with Mt Tarawera in background - big eruption in 1896
More seemingly tempting water but temp is nearly 100 deg celsius
So you need to cool off in a mud bath - followed by a cold shower - nice!
Capital city, very pretty and no wind when we were there.
