Beautiful Rotorua, healing waters, Maori Myths, Prestine Lake, and great walks. Then went to Wellington for about 5 days over New Years and had a wonderful time. Didn't write anything about it because it was a travel romance and the girl asked me to keep it private. But it was unforgettable...sorry, that's all you get!
From my journal:
Rotorua
Arrived Dec. 26th evening. Got two nights at Treks, fancy clean modern new hostel. First night and day was all to myself in a 4 bed dorm. Still disappointed on the high prices, even worse than Auckland, but settled on a Kebab on Tunis? st. Fantastic!! Chicken with lettuce and choice of 3 sauces which I got mint, sweet chili and hummus. Owner came and sat with me. Something like kadiz was his name. From Tunisia and not so happy with the slow chill life of Rotorua. Moved here because of his wife whose Kiwi and had a child. Seemed much more interested in making up stories of how glamours it must be to be a Dj.
Walked around town and lake, beautiful but full of newly hatched flying bugs...
- Dec. 27th. Walked Kuirtau Park, fantastic display of flowers plants lakes and trails that meander thought the maze of volcanic pools and steam, even a public wading area which reminded me of the pools in Hot Springs. Lake Kuiratou Sp? was particularly interesting...larger with steam flowing and blowing all over it.
Tried my best to find whole foods, organic, co-op something for lunch but nothing...very disappointing and my great stereotype of NZ begins to fade. Ended up having a lamb and veggie burger with mint sauce at the cheapest place in town. Not bad tasting even if the lamb was a processed patty and the bread was as white and tasteless as they come...veggie part was surprisingly nice...might go veggie burger in the future.
Went to the Mitae dinner and performance for my tourist and cultural rotorua experience. Debated doing the Agrodome adrenaline stuff like the plastic rolling orb called Zorb or the Swoop flying drop thing, but because of cost and lack of interest settled with the Mitae and very grateful for it. Met lots of nice people on the bus there. Kelley and partner, Andy? from the UK doing a short RTW then the 3 folks I saw at the Pools.
OH yea! I went to the Polynesian pools on the lake for a couple hours in the afternoon. A highlight and met a nice older Irish couple. 7 pools of varying degrees, shade, and build overlooking the Southern volcanically active area of the lake. Smack next to a massive seagull village and bird sanctuary.
- 28th of Dec.
Leaving Rotorua for New Plymouth as I continue on Trudie's Itinerary. Some Internet time, and lunch at a cool cafe called the "Fat Dog" had a reasonable lunch special of Lamb Korma over rice with shaved Beats, which looked a lot prettier than it tasted, but pleasantly filled me up for the long bus ride.
Rotorua continued: I actually missed my bus to New Plymouth so I've decided to head straight to Wellington on the Red eye. Get there on the 29th for the day. Head to Nelson on the 30th with time to settle in and prep for New Years! This actually feels right anyway. I'll hit New Plymouth on the way back up if desired.
So I've spent the day walking around the delightful Kuirau Park and napping, internet cafe, and now I'm in a cool funky cafe for tea and beats till I get the bus. Turns out there is a cool organic whole foods cafe just next door. Don't know how I missed it, but I did
