Rotorua

Saturday 9 December - Monday 11 December 2000

Weekend to Rotorua

The Rotorua region is known for its thermal activity. It stretches from the Bay of Plenty towards Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island. Rotorua is a must see on every tourists itinerary through New Zealand. Geysers, bubbling mud pools and Maori hospitality are some of the many experiences you will encounter in Rotorua.

 

Saturday 9th December: Very early in the morning we (Martijn's dad, Ingrid's sister Miranda and all of us) left for Rotorua for the 465 kilometer trip. We had breakfast at McDonald's in Levin and after we arrived at the we had our first walk through the town and noticed the pervasive smell of sulphur. We did some shopping and we had a buffet dinner at Valentine's.

Weather: showers and sunshine 15-20ºC.

 

Sunday 10th December: After having breakfast at the Robert Harris café, we drove to Wai-O-Tapu (Maori for "sacred waters") Thermal Wonderland. We were just in time to see the Lady Knox geyser erupt:

In the whole area we have also seen huge volcanic craters, the so-called"artist's palette" (a panorama of hot and cold pools), the "bridal veil" falls (see below),

the Primrose terraces:

mud pools, beautiful panoramic views and the "champagne" pool:

After lunch (which we had in Wai-O-Tapu), we went to the Buried Village. In June 1886 Te Wairoa was buried as volcanic material erupted from Mount Tarawera in an Earth's fury. More than 150 lives were lost. Today it is a museum site that brings history alive.

For dinner we went to a very casual Chinese buffet restaurant. In the evening Martijn's dad tried to comfort Cody:

Weather: mostly overcast about 20ºC.

 

Monday 11th December: The trip back home.

It was pooring with rain on this day. We had planned to see more sights, but it was simply too wet. So we decided to drive back and see some sights along the way in Taupo. We saw the Aratiatia dam open at noon and then we had lunch at the Prawn Park restaurant. Then we made a short stop at Taihape and continued our way back to Wellington.

Weather: rain clearing, 15-20ºC.