We have been travelling in the centre of the north island for just over a week, basing ourselves along the Thermal Explorer Highway. The region is world renowned for its geothermal sites, from boiling mud, lunar landscapes, bubbling pools, exploding geysers and multicoloured surroundings. In Rotorua, everywhere you look there are jets of steam escaping from the ground below, many of which are in peoples back gardens. How great would that be to have your own natural private thermal pool. The locals used to tap into the thermals below and use it to heat their houses, as a result the larger spectacular pools where lowering, so the council had to step in and stop them.We stayed in Rotorua for two nights at ‘Cosy Cottage campsite’ which had its very own thermal pool and natural steam cooker. At first we were engulfed in the well known eggy smell caused by the sulphur, but as most of Rotorua smells like this, you soon get used to it and don’t even notice after a while.The town itself is well set up for travellers with lots of backpacker hostels, cafes to socialise in and activities to fork out on, we settled for visiting the thursday night market, which starts at 5pm and continues on into the evening, we gazed around at the array of fresh food, clothing, music and products on sale, and as the school holidays have just begun their was lots of people out enjoying the evening creating a festivity feel to the event. It gave Lee the idea of a night carboot back at home! Although considering what time some people get up for the sunday ritual, you could still classify that as night time.Another evening we treated ourselves and headed out to the vibrant cafe ‘Fat Dog’ which had some funky music and a mismatch of furniture. Em settled for the Veggie salad taking the opportunity of stocking up on fresh vitamins and goodness whilst I went full on and had the ‘Dog’s Bollocks Burger’ I have never seen a burger so big, i didn’t know where to start.The campsite had a friendly atmosphere especially when you can chill out in the natural hot tubs chatting to other travellers and people on holiday. In the evening we joined a bunch of german lads, lord of the ring obsessed and had a soak, unbeknown that a few days later our paths would cross again in Taupo.In Rotorua we also met Seong Chan from South Korea as he drove out from the campsite trailing his power cable behind him as he forgot to unplug, so we chased him down and helped repair the damage. He later gave us some noodles which were super spicy but delicious and welcomed us over to south Korea, who knows one day we may just take up the offer.Just outside of town is one of NZ premier rafting trips, down the Kaituna river, the highlight being the grade 5 Okere Falls. We got to the spot of the falls which I recognised from the ‘Jack Osbourne Adrenaline Junkie’, even though we didn’t see any rafters, we caught a few kayakers heading over the falls. It would be good fun rafting here, as would a number of other ‘extreme’ activities but new zealand has so many of them to offer that it will be a case of checking them out and seeing which ones give the biggest thrills.You can’t visit the area without going to one of the thermal parks. Rotorua itself has a public park which is free to wonder around and check out the mud pools and thermal springs, but we also decided to visit the thermal Wonderland Wai-O-Tapu (sacred waters), regarded NZ’s most colourful and diverse volcanic area. Here we saw the largest bubbling mud pool, with its plops and slops which surprising sounded relaxing, the Lady knox Geyser which erupted to a height of 15-20 meters and then we were free to walk amongst the numerous hugh volcanic craters, with names such as Devils Home and Devils Bath and at the centre of the walk is the spectacular Champagne Pool, with a surface temperature of 74°C.For the past 5 nights we have stayed in Taupo, which is at the northern end of the largest lake in NZ, Lake Taupo. The only outlet for the lake is the crystal blue Waikato river, the river rages down the famous Huka Falls, the falls are not high but the sheer volume of water passing over the falls is well worth the sight, we’ve never seen a river so powerfull. Apparently a Maori chief tried to navigate the rapids in a wooden canoe, it almost lead to his death. Further down the stream, is the Aratiatia Dam and Rapids, the gates of the dam are shut leaving a trickling stream below, but at least three times a day the gates open for 30 minute intervals. We joined a crowd of people and gathered on the bridge above to see the river turn from a deep boulder field to a thunderous torrent of raging waters.The reason for staying so long in Taupo is not only because its got lots of fun things to see and do its also got a free campsite called Reid’s Farm, a spot of land above from Huka Falls which was donated by a local farmer who liked travellers. But when we first arrived at the sight, it must of changed ownership towards the council, as it said NO CAMPING until 1st November. At first we were unsure whether to risk it, as in many places where there is a no free camping zone, being caught can result in a $40 on the spot fine, and as the site was empty it seemed people were taking note, however a local checking out the river conditions said it was more a deterrent to stop youths hanging out here and that nobody official would mind, and as the sign also had a picture of a tent we thought technically we’re not camping. So we decided to stay and five days on, we are still here. Its been completely fine, in fact the site has become rather packed now, with numerous traveller settling down for the night. Another reason we haven't left, its just bin fun hanging out with people.We bumped into the German lads from Rotorua, Matinez, Philip and Pacel were in Taupo, pondering where to stay, we suggested Reid’s Farm and they followed us back. We ended up playing cards and eating popcorn in our camper that night. Then the past few nights we’ve been joined by Lee and Vicky, from Leicester who have been travelling since May through Asia, in India, China, Thailand and now in NZ for three weeks before heading to Fiji and then Australia and then back home for christmas. Also last night Richard and Karen, from Tamworth, stayed at the site, and we all sat outside having a drink and shared stories about travelling.Hearing all the exciting tales about Asia has planted a seed in both of us, so who knows.But for now, lets continue with our NZ adventureLee & Emma