Rotorua

Yo people,

Background on Rotorua - Largest strong hold off Maori culture in NZ and largest amount of geo-thermal activity.

On route to Rotorua we stopped off for a little break in a hot stream (directed there by the good old lonely planet guide). We had to drive down a real shaky/gravelly unsealed road for 2km but it was well worth it. When we arrived there, there was only one other local bathing. We went further down the track, got changed into our swimming gear and jump straight in. It was absolutely lovely; it was so warm that it felt like entering a hot bath. We stayed in the water for a good while because it felt so good.


When we arrived we parked up and went for a walk around a free geo-thermal park. It had loads of mud pools and areas to view the thermal features. At the end of the walk there was a huge boiling lake with steam being swept across like a low cloud. The water in there was absolutely boiling; it actually burnt my finger when I tested how hot it was. Back in the day people would use the pools to swim, wash and play around in. But Maori legend has it that a beautiful girl would bath there every day until she was taken by a Maori creature known as taniwha. As a result the gods cursed the lake to boil so that it would drive the taniwha away from the area. That night we slept in the car (again) just around the corner from the thermal park. Sleeping in the car so much has actually paid for the use of the car, regardless as to whether we sell it or not. Below the boiling lake:

The next day we woke up pretty early, as most days slept in the car. We headed down to the real touristy museum known as Te Puia. We knew it was full of tours, but it was the ideal way of finding some good information on old and modern day Maori life. I went to park the car while Simone went to buy the tickets. When she got back, she told me how lucky we were with the price of entry to the park. We were quoted $28 each before going there, and then she got quoted again at $28 by the lady at the desk. But, then she got told it was actually $35 and the price had gone up that day. So she waited a while for me to arrive to see whether we should go in or not. After a while of waiting, she was asked over to the desk again and the lady said that she would honor the first price given. Get in, saved money again! We went in had a quick look around some thermal activity, then headed off for the morning Maori concert. It started off with a traditional Maori greeting; loads of shouting, chanting and a hongi (pressing of the noses) for the chosen chief of the day. We walked up to the meeting house (Marae) and the Maoris’ (in full traditional dress, both male and female) performed the haka (war dance). After walking inside the carved wood building we sat down and we were explained to what was going to happen over the course of the next 45 mins. The Maoris’ then performed some traditional songs and dancing (including some wicked poi dancing by the ladies). We were also told some background to the spiritual side of the Maoris’, along with some stories. After all this we were shown the Haka performed by the NZ all blacks (NZ rugby team). Then they asked which warriors in the audience wanted to try to reenact the haka dance just performed. So I jumped up along with a load of other blokes and we all stood at the front of the hall while being told the main ingredients to the haka are. These were scary, fierce and ugly; these were used to warn off other tribes before actually having to go to war. Some of us did look pretty scary, most just looked stupid. Below the Maori chief and myself being pretty scary:

After finishing at the concert we joined on with a guided tour of the Maori way of life and thermal activities in the area. We walked around with a very informative guide telling us all about days of old and modern day life. We saw a pair of kiwis in a dark house and then made our way over to the main thermal attraction, the largest geysers in the area. When we arrived one of the geysers was erupting and weren’t sure if it was the biggest, it seemed pretty big, but not as big as it stated on the board. So we waited around for a good while waiting for the biggy to erupt. Another geyser was erupting almost the whole time we were at the site, but didn’t shoot the water right up into the air (25-30m). After a long wait it blasted off, right up into the air with steam flying everywhere. It was worth being patient and waiting to see the biggest geyser in the area. It was pretty spectacular I must say. On the way back to the main area we went around some more thermal activity and also went into a really neat interactive centre. There was so much detailed info but at the same time really to the point. It really opened our eyes t the Maori traditions/culture, well worth the $28 entry fee. Below is the geyser area with the small of the two geysers erupting:

On our next stop we left the centre of Rotorua to go visit the Agrodome just outside of Rotorua. We didn’t actually want to go see the sheep sheering/agricultural show at the Agrodome we went to check out the Zorbing situated next to the Agrodome. A zorb for those not in the know is a huge plastic ball designed for people to get in while flying down a steep hill (reasonably safely). It wasn’t too expensive so I got sorted with some zorbonaught clothing and got on the next available 4x4 up to the top of the hill. The drive up to the top of the hill was an adventure in its self. The guy drove like a maniac on the off road track that zigzagged up the hill (I say maniac but thinking about the guy does drive the same track all day, but still..). After the first load of people went down in there zorbs it was my turn. You have a little hole to get through to get inside the zorb. You have to launch yourself through the hole otherwise you get stuck then the guy operating the top section has to ram you in there. There are 2 types of track the straight down track (faster but less bumpy) or the zigzag track (slower but much more bumpy). There are 5 ways you can get to the bottom of the hill; 1 – zigzag, let loose (alone), 2 - strapped in the straight track alone, 3, 4 and 5 let loose (alone, duo or trio). I choose the first of these options as I was told it was the best one to do by yourself. Oh yeah Simone wouldn’t come with me because she said it wasn’t worth it and she didn’t have enough money to do it (it was only 10 squid, bargain I thought). So when the hole is zipped up the guy opens the bar and taps on the side of the zorb your ready to go. You start off standing up walking the zorb on to the slope and by the first corner I was on my ass. At first I thought right this cant be too hard standing all the way down to the bottom, you get a free t-shirt and your name on the honors list, but oh how wrong I was. Impossible to stay on your feet I’d say, although 3 people have done it since the track opened (all staff I might add). Every time I tried to stand up I would get thrown around the zorb even more. It was so much fun and well worth the ₤10 fee. After having so much fun by myself I thought I would convince Simone to do a duo ride with me (she agreed after I said I would pay for it, she still doubted the fun part though). So we all got in the 4x4 again and went on another maniac mission up to the top. Both got in the massive ball of joy and started off both on our feet. Might I add, again I wanted us to try to stand all the way down to get the free t-shirts. Did it last, did it balls. First little bump we were both straight over tumbling all over the place, legs and arms flailing all over the place (a slightly different situation and I can see exactly why you sign a disclaimer before entering the zorb). Simone and I just laughed from start to finish. After she did agree it was well worth the money and was so glad she had gone in the great big ball of doom. It was more fun with the both of us in there than when I went down alone, even though I tumbled more, sharing the experience was much better.

After being zorbonauts we left Rotorua we headed for some adrenaline sporting activities. This time it was drift racing in a fast/nippy little sports car. We got 12 laps around a concrete track for a measly 10 squid. It was so cool because Simone got to come with me in the car as a passenger for free. On the first lap I just got the bearings/feel for the little race car. After that it was zoom zoom zoom, drifting around loads of the corners. Absolutely quality fun for very little money, although it did go pretty fast (time) it was still well worth it.

After all this fun and excitement we got back on our way to Hamilton (just a place to stop for the night, also so we got a bit more distance as the drive the next day was going to be a killer).

So much fun and new knowledge obtained in one day. Touristy yes, but still an absolutely quality day with little damage on the wallet.

Peace out dudes, until next time...