Rotorua

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So, after the unexpected detour back to Wellington and a lost 24 hours, we are back on track and headed to Rotorua. We had planned on spending two nights in Rotorua and will now have to miss some of our planned activities but we will do as much as we can.

Rotorua, is a town set on its namesake lake on New Zealand’s North Island, and it is renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. We had planned on visiting a Maori cultural site but had to give that up. We also did not have time to do an excursion to a geothermal site but close to our campsite we were able to walk to some free geothermal ponds.

The geothermal activity in the area is what makes the water green and the mud bubble and boil and steam come out of the ground. It also creates a very bad smell. Especially close to the water where the sulphur smell of rotten eggs is very strong.

There are also many natural hot springs in the area which we were unable to explore but I did get to dip my feet in a shallow pool in the park. And our campsite had two natural hot spring tubs that we enjoyed in the evening.

We enjoyed a walk around town and had a relaxing dinner on the aptly named Eat Street.

Libby insisted on taking a picture of me by the Obsessive Coffee Drinkers sign. I don’t think I’m that bad, but I do insist on a morning coffee. And, New Zealand has some of the best coffee I have ever had. I started almost every day with a freshly made cappuccino.