But you can overlook the sulphuric pong as its beauty outweighs the odours. Even so, can this town bring the stinkiness down about 500 notches please? I know the residents don't notice the potent stench as they've grown accustomed to it but SHTAP.
I'm not adversely ashamed to admit I chomped up every crumb of my open chicken sandwich, cumin chips and salad from Abracadabra Cafe. This magic meal rocked my tastebuds gastronomically!
At Kuirau Park there are public foot baths and although the concept of sharing the bath with odd bods feet is grotesque, the steamy waters are pleasant to the sole TEEHEE! I couldn't seem to relax in filth floating from the trotters of unfamiliars so didn't stick it out too long. Now the mud pools may not sound awesome but there's something hypnotic about bubbling sludge! In 2001, an eruption hurled out mud and rocks the size of footballs, 10 metres in the air!
The resplendent bloomage of Government Gardens brings some cheer to the city. They are of historical importance to local Maoris for many battles were fought there. Something else I found cool is that the gardens were gifted to the Government 'for the benefit of the people of the world'; it's no wonder so many sojourn to photograph the colourful flowers.
On visiting, Whakarewarewa: The Living Maori Village, I really got the picture for the Maori way of life and their traditions. It's quite beautiful and heartwarming to obtain an authentic glimpse of the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao tribes. The performers knew how to make us smile, welcoming everybody with a customary Maori greeting to start the proceedings. They sang harmonically, danced with tribal rhythm and pulled funny faces; revelling in rousing the spirits of the crowd.
Cheer was spread with poise through the poi - swinging corded balls in synchronised coordination, stick throwing and haka - which never fails to set my soul on fire with their powerful, body slaps. After the show, we were given the chance to have model moments with the tribe members. I threw back my head laughing when I turned to see the guy had stuck his lizard tongue out.
Before our guided tour began, I nearly instinctively kissed the tour lady as we partook in the Maori nose press greeting. She must have thought me cuckoo as I puckered my lips!! I took the tour of the village along with an older couple from the USA. The man was asking insensitive questions regarding the Maori culture and I found some of his remarks very pointed and outdated; otherwise the whistle-stop guided visit was extremely informative.
Pohutu, the most famous and largest of all NZ geysers and its brother, Prince of Wales were rather spectacular to see. Some tourist sites put powder down so the geysers explode on cue but not for these two; Pohutu has its own sense of time so the eruptions of up to 40 metres high cannot be predicted. Corn cooked in the bubbling, hot pool was extremely delectable with melted butter on top.
All the pools within the confines of Whakarewarewa are very beautiful and sulphury with temps of which should dissolve a thermometer. The Murderous Ripples pulsate every 45 minutes, Grumpy Man is a volatile spring at a constant temperature of 120 degrees Celsius (so it's not recommended to fall in unless you desire to deep fry your face!) and the mud pools are renowned for healing arthritis and giving skin a youthful appearance by smearing the gloop over your face.
A little, trickster lad 'conned' me out of $6 at Penny Bridge as I was exiting because he wanted a paper note. The idea is you throw coins in for the children to jump in after and collect and then pocket. Larger coins such as the $2 are easier for them to see in the stream but he cheekily suggested I chuck in a $5 note. I was won over as he kept politely referring to me as 'Miss'; how could I be angry at his Aladdinish, street urchin act? He was just giving me the full Maori experience and he ably retrieved his riches!
Locations on maps are not as close as they appear - is the lesson I learnt from plodding down from the Maori Village to Redwood Forest. Over 5600 hectares of forest tower over all who come down to the woods. Tiredness took over so I didn't make it as far as the Tree Walk I'd been wanting to do; a short stride of a circle loop was all I could manage that afternoon. These tree giants are a big, old deal around here and I was pleased to just see some of the greenery in the woodlands.
My life changed because of the happy ice cream at Lady Jane's on Eat Street. I went hogwild slaughtering my Belgian cone of chocolate coconut and spiced apple crumble, like a coldblooded vulture. Be jealous SO hard!!! The spiced apple crumble is quite possibly my favourite everrrrrrrrr and should be knighted as the ice cream of the century. The lakefront was a lovely spot to lick it all up. Then after, I popped my upper half through the floral photoframe in order to fully capture the slendour that is Rotorua.
THERE ARE FEW THINGS CHIRPIER THAN A PARROT -
The nattering parrot at Rainbow Springs Nature Park had a limited vocabulary of greetings such as 'hi', 'hello' and 'how are you?' Despite wanting it to say something funnier, this alone put the cheesiest smile on my face. Also inside the enclosure were lovebirds which aviarilly (NOT A REAL WORD!) couldn't be any cuter; they fell deeper in love on their perch.
Jenny the kea, waltzes to her own symphony for she won't be swayed to perform for guests as she couldn't care less about attention. It was here that Danielle from Calgary requested to tag along with me, not that I minded. We watched the bird show and to be frank, it didn't really impress as these tricks are a dime a dozen now. However, everything floored the masses; especially the cockatoo throwing shade at us.
IT'S NO DISNEYWORLD -
But I had a good time all the same seeing the animals, riding the Big Splash a few times in a row (as the drop barely spritzed us, a rename to Feeble Splash would be more fitting) and allowing the keeper to dork out during a one on one water dragon talk. The best part was hooking myself up with a complimentary, behind the scenes tour of the Kiwi hatchery. After learning about Operation Nest Egg and what they do at this rearing facility, we had 2 fluffy, 6 week old kiwi birds shown to us from behind a window. My heart went to mush! I'd have loved to have held and cuddled one but once but we were forbidden from even taking a photo.
You can find out more about Operation Nest Egg here: https://kiwisforkiwi.org
Back in my hostel dorm, the girls and I became very concerned with an old lady who shared with us. She came in the room all distressed that she'd drank milk and proceeded to violently slap herself unceasingly. I could not calm her as she informed me between cursing that her brother had passed away and was trying to take her but she wasn't ready to 'go.' Needless to say, this freaked us out and wasn't a one off episode, so we felt it had reached the point that we had to ask to be moved into another room. It was not a decision we made lightly but as we were seriously concerned about this woman's mental state, her safety and our own - we were able to swap straight away.
A MAGICAL, MAORI CULTURAL EVENING AT MITAI -
Fluttered my wings to Fairy Springs, bus 12 table 4 (a great name for a gang, ey?) all bonded socially from the outset. We were made up of myself, a family of 4 from Ireland, a married couple in their fifties from the Phillipines and a solo traveller from Holland. Our hilarious compere acknowledged the assemblage in 20+ languages and was a man after my own heart as he also knew the translation for 'chocolate cake' in each!! Haha, did he know what an international assortments he was to host?
The smoky hangi was unveiled to a chorus of oohs and aahs in a spectacular fashion. Oh boy, the amount of which we had to eat is MADNESS and I believed I was bound to require airlifting to bed later on. In the Wai-o-whiro stream, a waka was canoed merrily down the stream and it *was* but a dream.. and their waggling tongues obscene! The muscular men made rowing look cool with their tribal chants and oar trickery.
HAPPY AS CLAMS -
The upbeat, cultural show as directed by the Chief of many nations, could melt a cold, cold heart. 2 volunteers were pulled from the crowd to please the Chief with a speech and a tune which resulted in everyone joining in with a jovial 'You are my sunshine'; it was candy to the ears. They rocked the poi with such dignity, sang romantic ballads and inspired with the mighty warrior dance - the haka; like their own Maori mafia.
Next came the feasting! We were decidedly plied with delicious food and drink goodies: roasted kumara, chicken, salads, stuffing and cauliflower mayo <---- being a few of the things that made me go 'mmm!' The savoury was chased down with the sweet of a gingery, steamed pud and the ultimate temptress of pud = PAVLOVA. An extra stomach was needed for all the sensational food I consumed but no more fattening dinners henceforth!! Yeah sure, Rianneeeee!! I'm glad that Maoris are no longer practising cannabilism or else WE would have been the meal.
Nightfall concluded with a bush walk to see the Fairy Springs itself and the glorious glowworms as they shone brightly. These sacred, crystal clear springs would be ideal for a midnight dip under the moonlight. The entire experience was nothing but awesomeness and more than lived up to the hype.
THE LAST DAY WAS TO BE A DAY OF RELAXATION -
After check out, Selina and I went for brunch at Fat Dog Cafe, an eclectic local haunt that's recommended by oh so many a website. Therefore, I was expecting to rave of it.. My taste buds were all fired up for French toast with bacon, whipped cream and fresh fruit. As I'd specifically ordered mine without banana, I had to take it back when it was served up with the curvy, yellow fruit. All the waitress did was pick off the chunks and I could have done so myself; this diminished my brunching joy.
The Polynesian Spa calmed me with the power of sulphur. I was appalled by the high temperature choices as it was my desire to be cool by the pool. Anyhow, it was blissful to serenely soak right by the lake front.. until I was ambushed by 2 Fijian ladies, nattering at me. My skin was nourished as I unwound in the calming, mineral pools and my ailments simmered away in up to 42 degrees. Ta Rotorua, for centering my 'chi'; you've been a darlin' xx
The nattering parrot at Rainbow Springs Nature Park had a limited vocabulary of greetings such as 'hi', 'hello' and 'how are you?' Despite wanting it to say something funnier, this alone put the cheesiest smile on my face. Also inside the enclosure were lovebirds which aviarilly (NOT A REAL WORD!) couldn't be any cuter; they fell deeper in love on their perch.
Jenny the kea, waltzes to her own symphony for she won't be swayed to perform for guests as she couldn't care less about attention. It was here that Danielle from Calgary requested to tag along with me, not that I minded. We watched the bird show and to be frank, it didn't really impress as these tricks are a dime a dozen now. However, everything floored the masses; especially the cockatoo throwing shade at us.
This cockatoo is not to be confused with a parrot
But I had a good time all the same seeing the animals, riding the Big Splash a few times in a row (as the drop barely spritzed us, a rename to Feeble Splash would be more fitting) and allowing the keeper to dork out during a one on one water dragon talk. The best part was hooking myself up with a complimentary, behind the scenes tour of the Kiwi hatchery. After learning about Operation Nest Egg and what they do at this rearing facility, we had 2 fluffy, 6 week old kiwi birds shown to us from behind a window. My heart went to mush! I'd have loved to have held and cuddled one but once but we were forbidden from even taking a photo.
You can find out more about Operation Nest Egg here: https://kiwisforkiwi.org
Back in my hostel dorm, the girls and I became very concerned with an old lady who shared with us. She came in the room all distressed that she'd drank milk and proceeded to violently slap herself unceasingly. I could not calm her as she informed me between cursing that her brother had passed away and was trying to take her but she wasn't ready to 'go.' Needless to say, this freaked us out and wasn't a one off episode, so we felt it had reached the point that we had to ask to be moved into another room. It was not a decision we made lightly but as we were seriously concerned about this woman's mental state, her safety and our own - we were able to swap straight away.
Fluttered my wings to Fairy Springs, bus 12 table 4 (a great name for a gang, ey?) all bonded socially from the outset. We were made up of myself, a family of 4 from Ireland, a married couple in their fifties from the Phillipines and a solo traveller from Holland. Our hilarious compere acknowledged the assemblage in 20+ languages and was a man after my own heart as he also knew the translation for 'chocolate cake' in each!! Haha, did he know what an international assortments he was to host?
The smoky hangi was unveiled to a chorus of oohs and aahs in a spectacular fashion. Oh boy, the amount of which we had to eat is MADNESS and I believed I was bound to require airlifting to bed later on. In the Wai-o-whiro stream, a waka was canoed merrily down the stream and it *was* but a dream.. and their waggling tongues obscene! The muscular men made rowing look cool with their tribal chants and oar trickery.
HAPPY AS CLAMS -
The upbeat, cultural show as directed by the Chief of many nations, could melt a cold, cold heart. 2 volunteers were pulled from the crowd to please the Chief with a speech and a tune which resulted in everyone joining in with a jovial 'You are my sunshine'; it was candy to the ears. They rocked the poi with such dignity, sang romantic ballads and inspired with the mighty warrior dance - the haka; like their own Maori mafia.
Next came the feasting! We were decidedly plied with delicious food and drink goodies: roasted kumara, chicken, salads, stuffing and cauliflower mayo <---- being a few of the things that made me go 'mmm!' The savoury was chased down with the sweet of a gingery, steamed pud and the ultimate temptress of pud = PAVLOVA. An extra stomach was needed for all the sensational food I consumed but no more fattening dinners henceforth!! Yeah sure, Rianneeeee!! I'm glad that Maoris are no longer practising cannabilism or else WE would have been the meal.
Nightfall concluded with a bush walk to see the Fairy Springs itself and the glorious glowworms as they shone brightly. These sacred, crystal clear springs would be ideal for a midnight dip under the moonlight. The entire experience was nothing but awesomeness and more than lived up to the hype.
After check out, Selina and I went for brunch at Fat Dog Cafe, an eclectic local haunt that's recommended by oh so many a website. Therefore, I was expecting to rave of it.. My taste buds were all fired up for French toast with bacon, whipped cream and fresh fruit. As I'd specifically ordered mine without banana, I had to take it back when it was served up with the curvy, yellow fruit. All the waitress did was pick off the chunks and I could have done so myself; this diminished my brunching joy.
The Polynesian Spa calmed me with the power of sulphur. I was appalled by the high temperature choices as it was my desire to be cool by the pool. Anyhow, it was blissful to serenely soak right by the lake front.. until I was ambushed by 2 Fijian ladies, nattering at me. My skin was nourished as I unwound in the calming, mineral pools and my ailments simmered away in up to 42 degrees. Ta Rotorua, for centering my 'chi'; you've been a darlin' xx
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