Though it was not as stress-free as I would have preferred, my mid-semester break was fun and full of adventure. I decided that I was going to explore a few places on the North Island during the long break. I gave myself 6 days, which wasn't enough time! But, to start, I had a great first flight (though it was the shakiest one I've ever been on) where I got to watch the wheels during the take-off and landing. By the end of the day, I was quite through with travelling, because after two flights and multiple bus rides (and lots of mis-booking, confusion, and uncertainty) I racked up a total of 12 hours of travel time. But my destination--Rotorua--was well worth the wait.
I absolutely love airplanes!
The first place I visited in Rotorua (besides my hostel) was the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. I took a tour bus to get there, with the best driver! As soon as I walked on board, she greeted me with a bright, loud, beautiful, "Hello! Where are you from in the world?" She was so enthusiastic and told us so much about the area. She pointed out two volcanoes: Rainbow Mountain (which had a cream, red, and teal water pool) and Mount Tarawera (which is responsible for NZ's largest eruption in 1886). She also took us to the largest bubbling mud pool in New Zealand. It was here that I finally came face-to-face with the infamous Rotorua smell: sulfur AKA rotten eggs. With each explosive bubble of mud, a new batch of noxious gases were released. The radiating heat was the only pleasant thing about the pools (but that does not mean it isn't worth visiting!) The combination of smells, fog, and the general creepy atmosphere reminded me of a scene from a movie I haven't seen in over 10 years: when Artax, the horse, dies in The NeverEnding Story.
Lady Knox Geyser, at about 10:21 am. The next part of the Wai-O-Tapu excursion was to the Lady Knox Geyser. Slowly, at about 10:19 am, the geyser released some foam and began to bubble. Then there was a huge rumble and the water burst from the opening. And unlike most geysers (or so I'm told) the large column of water didn't just last for a few seconds, but for a few minutes!
After the geyser, we had a quick bus ride to the actual wonderland. This was one of the most beautifully terrifying places I have ever been to. You are surrounded by bubbling pools of gray-brown mud and water colored in bright teal, deep red or bright yellow/orange stones, giant chasms, and steam escaping through all the trees. The colors and sheer force of nature is what made this place beautiful. The terrifying part came from the heat. It was cold in Rotorua, but I was warm in the wonderland from all the hot springs. There was one patch of bubbling gravel on the path and I put my hand near it. It was the same feeling as if I were to put my hand over boiling water.
After the geyser, we had a quick bus ride to the actual wonderland. This was one of the most beautifully terrifying places I have ever been to. You are surrounded by bubbling pools of gray-brown mud and water colored in bright teal, deep red or bright yellow/orange stones, giant chasms, and steam escaping through all the trees. The colors and sheer force of nature is what made this place beautiful. The terrifying part came from the heat. It was cold in Rotorua, but I was warm in the wonderland from all the hot springs. There was one patch of bubbling gravel on the path and I put my hand near it. It was the same feeling as if I were to put my hand over boiling water.
That afternoon, I visited the Rotorua museum. The Maori exhibit was my favorite. They had old cloaks, a cool glass waka (canoe), and plenty of history. The basement/old bath house was really creepy (and, of course, they up-played this) and the attic had a beautiful lookout over the Government Gardens. The best exhibit was the video on Rotorua history. I was the only one in the room, so it was a little odd starting off. But the room had a really cool set-up. The theatre included a growing screen and stage space, a starry ceiling, a volcanic eruption including shaking seats, and a fun movie. There were also beautiful art exhibits in the museum: one combined Maori art and modern art, one was full pieces for sale, and the last was on the Canterbury Quake. It was hard to stay in the last exhibit for very long. There was such a mix of emotions: hope, despair, sadness, goodwill, heroism...
The Rotorua Museum, part of which used to be a bath house.
That night, I visited the Polynesian Spa. Basically, there were seven pools with different types of mineral water, different temperatures, and different people. It was a beautiful ending to a busy day, especially because the back pool overlooked the lake. It was gorgeous, silently sitting in a warm bath, steam billowing around me, staring up at the stars, looking across the black lake towards city lights, and listening to the gulls say good-night.
My second day in Rotorua was all walking. I went to the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest. I just wandered around, following the path as best I could, enjoying the beautiful sights. Once you got quite high up, there was a breathtaking panoramic view of a geothermal park, with all of its teal pools and steam columns. It really looked like something out of a pre-historic movie. After the Redwoods, I explored Sulfur Point. I got to see more mud pools and boiling chasms...but the highlight of this walk was all of the local birds. I saw a big blue bird with an orange beak and white tail feathers, black swans, white swans, little black diving ducks that squeaked, and lots and lots of gulls.
A mini, bird-infested island on the tip of Sulfur Point.
On my last day, I got to do OGO. Basically this is Zorb, but a different company. Zorb, for those who do not know, is a human-sized hamster balled rolled down a hill. You can get harnessed in or go with a friend or two (with the option of warm water, too). Usually, when people go down the hill, they flip head over heel, but I got a few sideways spins in, too! This got my adrenaline pumping and put a permanent smile my face for the rest of the day. It also helped that I was going to Hobbiton that afternoon.
One of many Hobbit-holes. This is the real deal! I finally visited Hobbiton. The Shire and Dell were beautiful, cute, and exceptionally colorful for a gray, rainy day. Our tour guide pointed out so many details (like the hand carvings on all the support beams), fake lichen, and the Misty Mountains in the distance. He also told us about some of the production work behind making Hobbiton. For example, there were four "plum" trees that were actually re-leafed apple and pear trees. Plus, a rather gnarly tree was mostly metal and plastic (and made by Weta). And finally, the minimum height for a hobbit extra in the film was 5'2", and I could have easily been an extra!
I got a chance to show-off my movie knowledge, too. The tour guide asked three questions, each of which I was the first and only one to respond (which was rather surprising). The first, was, "What are Frodo's first words to Gandalf?" I blurted out, "You're late!" Our tour guide told me I was correct and continued Gandalf's line about how a wizard is never late. The next question was about what the sign Bilbo posted on his fence at Bag End read. "No admittance except on party business." They sell magnets in the gift shop which make wonderful additions to personal refrigerators. And finally, I was able to pick out Sam and Rosie's house from the bunch. The tour ended with a free drink in the Green Dragon. We had a choice between two different beers, apple cider, ginger beer, or lake water. I went for the cool cider, sat by the fire, pet the shop cat, and explored inside. Then, I hopped on a bus to Hamilton!
One of the kapa haka performance groups.
In Hamilton, I visited a camp friend and saw a Kapa haka competition. The kapa haka is Maori performing arts that includes singing, poi (ball on a string), and haka (dance) and various combinations of those performances. There were nine competing groups from different schools around New Zealand. Some were quite talented groups, full of powerful women, intense storytelling, full harmonies, and giant walls of sound. I had a few favorite performers, too: one woman with a striking voice, one man in a sling that performed the haka just as well as his two-armed counterparts, and two men who were having too much fun together.
I had a mid-semester break with plenty of earthly wonders, cinematic sets, and cultural experiences to last me a lifetime. At the end of the six days, I was sad to leave. But, I was also happy to go back home to my chilly flat in Dunedin and share all of my wonderful stories with my flatmates and hear about their travels and tramps.
I had a mid-semester break with plenty of earthly wonders, cinematic sets, and cultural experiences to last me a lifetime. At the end of the six days, I was sad to leave. But, I was also happy to go back home to my chilly flat in Dunedin and share all of my wonderful stories with my flatmates and hear about their travels and tramps.
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