NZ (5 Dec): Taupo-Rotorua

Weather: Chilly and cloudy in the morning but turned sunny and warm in the afternoon

Breakfast:
Quick and easy option - McDonalds (Hotcake combo which included 3pcs of hotcakes and a hot chocolate + Big Breakfast Combo which included sausage, omelette and muffin. Total cost about NZD10.

Activity:
We drove towards Rotorua to visit the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland. At NZD30/pax, we visited the Lady Gnox Geyser which erupted at 10.15am, followed by a self-guided tour in the park comprising volcanic mud pools and other geothermal pools. There were three routes and total length of walk for all three routes was about 75min. Hubby didn’t think the money was worth it ;p

One of the pools

Lady Knox Geyser

Lunch:
We headed to Rotorua town centre for lunch. Settled at Valentine’s which served buffet at NZD19.95/pax on weekends (otherwise, it’s NZD14.95). Well, the food was not fantastic but it was considered value for money cos other main meals in town cost well over NZD15.

Lunch @ Valentine's

Lake Taupo

Waikato River

Dinner:
Had dinner back at Taupo town centre. I read from Tripadvisor that Mulligan’s Bar served good and cheap food so we went. The backpackers we stayed at had discount coupon from Mulligan’s. Using the coupon, hubby ordered one of the selected main courses (Mulligan’s Irish Stew) + three glasses of house wine (or you could choose three pints of beer) at NZD25. I ordered a Mulligan’s Mixed Grill, also at NZD25. I’m not sure if the food was considered cheap by our standard. What do you think?

Mixed Grill

Irish Stew