• A phone that you can use to take lots of photos, and that will then organise and label those photos by date, is invaluable in recalling what you actually did, and when, while on holiday.
• According to my phone, I didn't do much on Boxing Day.
• You should definitely swim between the flags at the beach. Even if those flags are so close together you're jostling for spots among the waves.
• A hydroslide in Rotorua would be a good reason not to take the kids to Taupo or the Mount on a day-trip.
• There are too many motorists driving way above and way below the open road speed limit.
• I get vicarious pleasure out of seeing lots of No Vacancy signs across the city.
• There's a lot of uphill cycling involved between the Waipa car park and my home.
• Eat Streat continues to have a fantastic atmosphere, particularly in the late afternoon or early evening of a beautiful summer's day.
• The Village Green is a top spot for big events like watching movies or celebrating New Year's Eve. The positive vibe of Glo Festival activities was evident - even a touch of drizzle ahead of last Wednesday's impressive first fireworks display couldn't shift the smiles from everyone's faces. Last Friday's Fat Freddy's Drop concert suited the venue perfectly too. Those in the crowd, which seemed to swell going into the night, were either swaying in front of the stage or relaxing on the grass - true festival-style.
• Rotorua is truly hot in summer, in every sense of the word.
