We drove south from Hobbiton to the town of Rotorua, a rather small city on the edge of Lake Rotorua. One thing you notice immediately is the smell of sulphur in the air. There are thermal springs and features everywhere around Rotorua. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.! Can’t be the beans we ate at Hobbiton!
We are staying at the Aura motel, and they even have their own hot mineral baths on the premises. We have not partaken as we don’t care to smell like rotten eggs, but hey, it’s there if that’s your thing! It’s apparently all about the “minerals”. If you believe that, then you likely support Marianne Williamson for President. Feel the “love”.
Upon arrival at our hotel I relaxed for a few minutes, thanking the Maori Gods that we made it here alive, and then we headed off to dinner. They have a very cool area in Rotorua called Eat Street that is a closed off city block filled with restaurants.
Our hotel staff told us the restaurant with the best wine list was Atticus Finch, so of course that’s where we went. This is a tapas place, which we have come to love from our time in Spain. I must say ALL of the food was excellent, particularly the lamb dish. The service was also excellent, Jackie in particular! If you go here make sure you ask for her!
The wine was ok….we are not big fans of young Pinot Noir with screwcaps. Regardless, I would highly recommend Atticus Finch if you find yourself in Rotorua.
The place has a great open air feel, and the other restaurants also looked quite good. Definitely worth checking out. I love the architecture of the place.
The next morning we went to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal “Wonderland”. That’s what the brochure calls it. They kind of downplay it with the official sign on entrance. Wonderland perhaps a bit much??
Ohh goodie, more sulphur smells! It is pretty much like Yellowstone, only in a much more condensed area. The view from this area is called the Artists Palette, due to the multiple colors seen from the trail, not from the fact they launched artists from this spot with an old fashioned catapult. They’ll deny it if you ask them. I know.
This area, which is at the top of the above Artists Palette photo, is called the Champagne Pool, due to all the bubbles rising up to the surface. The steam is clear evidence that this water is nearly 100 degrees Celcius.
Very cool colors along the shoreline. The orange is due to Arsenic and Old Lace. Wait, what? No, arsenic and antimony sulfides….yeah, that’s the ticket.
These caution signs are everywhere throughout the park. We were happy to not hear any sirens. This place is not really all that far from White Island, which erupted back on December 9th, so it was in the back of our minds.
This little thermal feature is called Oyster Pool. So cute.
Here is Kim in front of Lake Ngakoro. We thought this water color was unique….little did we know….
This pool is below Champagne Pool, and a lot of different sources collect here to make this amazing green color. Talk about bait for Instagram tools!
On the way out of the park there is another stop called “Mud Pools”. A photo doesn’t do it justice, so here is a video.
Upon returning from Wai-O-Tapu we took a walk along the Lake Rotorua Shoreline. It was a bit disappointing, as there is a lot of ongoing construction, and the thermal features are everywhere. We are getting a bit tired of the sulphur smells. Oh well, here is a shot from the shoreline, at one of the nicer spots along the trail.
Coming up next, our Maori experience, and the Redwoods Treewalk.