We were up early this morning hoping to get some good light at Mt Maunganui for photos and to visit the cafes we had missed yesterday. We looked at both and found nothing that distinguished them from those that surrounded them. Yes one is iconic but a tv going all the time in a cafe is not appealing or part of a great cafe. So after a discussion we checked out a cafe in the Kaimais and then settled on Bottanix at the Bethlehem garden centre. Yes a garden centre! So normally we try and avoid cafes that are attached to a garden centre/museum/adventure park etc. Reason being the cafes are usually an after thought as a way to make money from the foot traffic. They ususally fill the need to eat and drink but not to neccessarily have an experience with the food and drink that is great. Here was different. Regardless of recipe obscurity the savoury scones were the best I have ever had and the coffee was just as it should be. Charlie and Theresa have got a good thing going.
We went back to Grindz for brunch before heading off to Taupo. We had a number of un-named cafes to look at. People talking about 'the one opposite the lake' and other such specific directions. We walked the town and ended up at the most recommended L'Arte out through Acacia Bay. This place had been described as the mosaic cafe and rightly so. Judy is the artist on site and she does wonderful things with mosaic and pottery. A feast for the eyes and the food and coffee were good too. This was another of those really hot days and after getting the photos and info we needed we were all melting. A short jaunt down to Acacia bay and the three of us had one of the nicest, most welcome swims yet.
On the road again and back into Rotorua. This time we were staying at Aria's Farm in Clayton Rd. We arrived and lost Ruby to the kids and animals until nine that evening. The cabin we were in was perfect, a large deck and air conditioning which was most welcome. Matthew went off for the elusive sunset shot. Another busy, productive day.
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