Downunder Adventure

We are currently in Rotorua.It is a geothermal area with lots of hot mud pools and steaming vents in the middle of town.  Smells like rotten eggs but it is still a nice town.  We like the smaller towns as it is very difficult to drive on the wrong side of the road in the larger cities.  I came down with an inner ear infection for a week just after we got here.  Finally went to a clinic yesterday.  Doc gave me a prescription for antibiotics.  I'm much better, thank GOD.  I was so dizzy thought I was going to have to quit smoking there for a minute.  The whole visit and Rx cost me less than $100.00.  Wouldn't see that in the U.S.  We are having a good time but actually a little travel weary.  I'm glad we are stahing in this town for a couple of days.  It is good to get off the road for a day.  Went to the museum here this morning.  It used to be a bath house in the late 1800's due to all the hot water in this area.  Still a very beautiful old building.  All the hotels have jacuzzis in every room so we had a 2 hour jacuzzi and a bottle of wine.  Life is good.  Amy, thank you for keeping in touch with me via this site.  Connie:  I appreciate your newsy note.  I'm serious not sarcastic.  Thank you Tyra and the rest of you for your birthday greetings.  I spent my birthday on the beach at the lovely little cottage we were able to use.  By the time I felt like going out the restaurant was closing so we just had desert.  I had it when I have to eat desert first.  We will be heading south from here and with any luck the weather won't be too bad for our crossing from North Island to South Island on the barge that will take 3 hours.  Actually, the weather has been a bit colder and rainy.  If it gets too bad we will head back to Australia to the coast to warmth and sunshine.  Thats it for now....   LOVE TO ALL.  We will try to send pics via this site.