Matakohe > Waitomo Caves
Well the sleeping arrangements were an improvement and Gavin and I actually got some time after James went to sleep before we crashed (only an hour but it was luxury!). The morning routine is getting easier and by 9am we were walking down the road to the Kauri museum.
Like yesterday this was an unexpected delight. It is a museum to the Kauri trees and the logging industry and way of life they supported in the area until the trees were replaced with pastoral land. The museum covered everything from some of the beautiful pieces of furniture made from the wood and jewellery made from the gum, or sap, (which looks a bit like amber) to the mechanical equipment used to cut the wood and examples of typical New Zealand homes a 150 years ago. We all thought it was great.
 
As expected the drive to Waitomo caves was long and tedious. Even the majority of main roads in New Zealand are single lane with passing places and driving a Campervan we aren't going to go above 70km most of the time, and a lot slower if its windy (which it often is!) so our 350km drive took us 6 hours - we are going to re-think the rest of the itinerary since it would be a shame to spend the whole holiday on the move.
One of the nice things about the Campervan is that we are self-sufficient so can stop anywhere. Having had our fill of fish and chips yesterday we stopped off at a lovely Park just north of Auckland and Catherine cooked Spanish omlettes.
 
We then set off again and after a vain search for an internet cafe in Hamilton finally arrived at Waitomo. The camp site is good with swimming pool and Spa for C&G and boing (trampolene) for James so I think we'll be here another night.
Tomorrow is promising with allsorts of possible activities to choose from....
9:17:41 PM 
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