Rotorua Friday 31st January

Posted byvwhitesidePosted inUncategorized

An 8.30am start on a gloriously sunny day after the best breakfast we have had so far.

First stop Kuirau Park in Rotorua.
Note the steam coming out of the vent.
About 12 years ago this mound erupted without any warning, flinging huge boulders in every direction.
Coach driver David didn’t mention this until we were leaving!
Bubbling Rotorua in Kuirau Park

The Government Gardens

Rotorua Museum undergoing restoration

Whangapipiro the Rachel Pool

Water from this bubbling cauldron is pumped to the Polynesian Spa where we later relaxed.

Next on to Te Puia to experience Maori culture, see geothermal wonders and a Kiwi.

(I’ll try to complete this post tomorrow; I’m far too tired tonight. We have breakfast at 0630 tomorrow before driving back to Auckland for a short flight to Christchurch. There’s lots more to tell, we’ve had a great day. Patricia is totally worn out and has been asleep for some time.)

Te Puia

Maori welcome ceremony
Maori carving by students in the culture centre here.
The wood is from the Rimu tree, the native Red Pine. It can grow for up to 1000 years. Government permission is needed to cut down Rimu trees.

The Maori people and language were oppressed right up to the 60s. Since the 80s Maori immersion education in the Rotorua area is bringing the culture and language back to life.

Cold Maori settlers from the Pacific used flax and feathers to make warm clothing.
The Pohutu Geyser can reach 30 metres.
We didn’t see it reach quite that height but it was very impressive.

Our afternoon was a trip to Hobbiton, the site of the Hobbit films, in hot sunshine: an amazing place.

In front of one of the 44 Hobbit houses.
Bag Hall in the Shire. The hall is real but the tree is artificial with 20,000 artificial leaves individually wired on.
Relaxing in the Polynesian Spa to end the day.

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