AmyHuang
Soaking in the atmosphere of rotten egg
It was the long weekend, and with no money and extra time, we needed somewhere quick and easy to get away.
New Zealand it was, and with an email advertising discounted airfares, our holiday to Rotorua was a click of a button (and a credit card number) away.
I chose Rotorua as the main destination because Will haven't been there, and it was somewhere with enough to do to keep us busy.
You would've noticed a surge in tourism advertising about this place lately. I believe they are trying to make Rotorua the Queenstown of the North Island. With the thermal activity being its natural attraction, the city has created many tourist activities to attract visitors.
The last time I was here I was on an agency 'famil' trip over 2 days. It meant that we rushed through everything to familiarise ourselves with the destination, without really experiencing it properly. So this time, I wanted to make sure I properly enjoy the place.
Due to the sulfuric thermal activity surrounding Rotorua, the most destinct feature as you drive into the city centre is the smell. Rotten egg. The place is spurting up hot underground water everywhere, and the steams make certain part of the place look like an outdoor bath area.
Most people come here to enjoy the thermal pools and spas, but an increase in tourism meant that it was a chance for the locals, both Maoris and colonials alike, to show off their proud city. Just a little south of the centre, the area of Whakarewarewa is a living thermal Maori village where you can visit for NZ$28. You can freely walk about the village as well as the 2 walking tracks along the thermal pools, and then you can join one of the hourly guided tours to learn more about their village life and to enjoy a cultural concert show by the village people at (11:15 am or 2pm daily). This is my second visit to the village and I think it’s a great experience for all.
Those who watched Getaway on 1st April (click to watch online!) would have almost got fooled by their ‘Newest Country in the World’ where they claimed the French had released a Pacific Island used for nuclear bombing as an independent country, and the radiation has since transformed the landscape… etc – well if you did, you would have learnt about Hell’s Gate, a mud pool reserve a bit south of Rotorua from Whakarewarewa. Unfortunately we didn’t have enough time this time to visit Hell’s Gate. You’ll have to go see it yourself.
We did however - enjoyed a good soak at Polynesian Spa. Legend has it that sulfuric thermal water is good for the body and soul. It can cure arthritis and skin diseases. I can't prove the medical effects of it, but I can assure you that it's so relaxing and is the perfect end to a busy sightseeing day.
More cultural activities can be found by visiting the Tamaki Village. The modle villages gives insight into the traditional Maori life, and invite visitors to a good quality story telling concert and a hangi feast. Booking is essential and a free bus will pick up and drop off from Rotorua. It's actually quite an experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
There is a lot more to Rotorua than just thermal pools and culture. In my next post I'll write about the many adventure activities you can get up to, here in Rotorua.
New Zealand it was, and with an email advertising discounted airfares, our holiday to Rotorua was a click of a button (and a credit card number) away.
I chose Rotorua as the main destination because Will haven't been there, and it was somewhere with enough to do to keep us busy.
You would've noticed a surge in tourism advertising about this place lately. I believe they are trying to make Rotorua the Queenstown of the North Island. With the thermal activity being its natural attraction, the city has created many tourist activities to attract visitors.
The last time I was here I was on an agency 'famil' trip over 2 days. It meant that we rushed through everything to familiarise ourselves with the destination, without really experiencing it properly. So this time, I wanted to make sure I properly enjoy the place.
Due to the sulfuric thermal activity surrounding Rotorua, the most destinct feature as you drive into the city centre is the smell. Rotten egg. The place is spurting up hot underground water everywhere, and the steams make certain part of the place look like an outdoor bath area.
On the shores of Lake Rotorua
Most people come here to enjoy the thermal pools and spas, but an increase in tourism meant that it was a chance for the locals, both Maoris and colonials alike, to show off their proud city. Just a little south of the centre, the area of Whakarewarewa is a living thermal Maori village where you can visit for NZ$28. You can freely walk about the village as well as the 2 walking tracks along the thermal pools, and then you can join one of the hourly guided tours to learn more about their village life and to enjoy a cultural concert show by the village people at (11:15 am or 2pm daily). This is my second visit to the village and I think it’s a great experience for all.
Enjoying a cultural performance at the Whakarewarewa village
One of the many thermal pools in use at the Whakarewarewa village
Those who watched Getaway on 1st April (click to watch online!) would have almost got fooled by their ‘Newest Country in the World’ where they claimed the French had released a Pacific Island used for nuclear bombing as an independent country, and the radiation has since transformed the landscape… etc – well if you did, you would have learnt about Hell’s Gate, a mud pool reserve a bit south of Rotorua from Whakarewarewa. Unfortunately we didn’t have enough time this time to visit Hell’s Gate. You’ll have to go see it yourself.
We did however - enjoyed a good soak at Polynesian Spa. Legend has it that sulfuric thermal water is good for the body and soul. It can cure arthritis and skin diseases. I can't prove the medical effects of it, but I can assure you that it's so relaxing and is the perfect end to a busy sightseeing day.
More cultural activities can be found by visiting the Tamaki Village. The modle villages gives insight into the traditional Maori life, and invite visitors to a good quality story telling concert and a hangi feast. Booking is essential and a free bus will pick up and drop off from Rotorua. It's actually quite an experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Maori Warriors greet us with a welcome hakka at the village gate
The experiennce of walking through a model village in a forest is better than any museum visit
There is a lot more to Rotorua than just thermal pools and culture. In my next post I'll write about the many adventure activities you can get up to, here in Rotorua.
