Rotorua
 
 


Rotorua is known for it's thermal activity, so it's got a bit of a sulfur smell to it.  It provides for natural spas and other relaxing activities.  However, it is where a lot of us got to partake in some pretty crazy adventures.







Accommodations:

Princess Gate Hotel.                                                    Hinekura Marae
http://www.princesgate.co.nz/

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                2 Nights                                                                1 Night

Landscape:

Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley: This was our first encounter with the bubbling land.  Below are a few active mud pits.

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Steam!                                                            In the arts & crafts building Mike
                                                                        models some Maori-wear for us.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (Taupo):
This park was a bit larger and much more colorful.  Offering a view of steaming volcanic lakes, hot & cold pools, geysers, mineral terraces, and mud pools.  For a virtual tour visit their site here.

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                      A Crater                                                Artist's Palette


Devil's Bath

A highlight of the park is the Lady Knox Geyser shown below just before it erupted.  To instigate the eruptions soap was dropped into it.
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                                                                Above: Chris M, Abby, Mike, Stef, & Val
                                                                getting misted by the erupting geyser.

Huka Falls (Taupo):
A very beautiful stop was Huka Falls, the water colors were so vibrant.  It is infamous for kayakers attempting to paddle through the falls although it is illegal.  Unfortunately not many have been successful.
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Mike, Megan P, Megan M, Abby, Francesca, Dana, Jackie, & Laura in front of the falls.

Activities:

Rainbow Farm:  First at the rainbow farm we were given a tour of their trout farm, and then we headed across the road for a little sheep entertainment.

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Above: it was demonstrated to us how the sheep are rounded up and put into their corrals through the use of a farm dog and some whistling.

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Tamaki Maori Village:
Here we were able to get a better introduction into the Maori traditions and original way of life.
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Above: is the entrance to the village and a shot of the challenge of the fierce warrior which all visitors must participate in to be allowed inside.

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Here is a portion of the main entertainment where a series of traditional dances were performed including the Haka shown above.  In their culture, to stick out the tongue is a sign of strength and fierceness.

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Zorbing:
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still confused? visit:  http://www.zorb.com/

White Water Rafting:  This experience is the closest you'll get to feeling like you're in the movie The Lord of the Rings.  We battled level 4 & 5 rapids on this journey.  Two of our Three rafts made it over the 7 meter (21 ft) waterfall without flipping over.  The boys raft was not so lucky.

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Here you can watch an action sequence of the boys' boat fall to defeat of the waterfall, they make it over the first one with few problems, but...:
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...not so lucky on this one:
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There's no hope now:
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Time to get rescued by the girls boat and find everyone:
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Sky Diving:
What would a trip be to New Zealand be without free falling from a plane?  Eight members from our group opted to do it here in Rotorua.  Here's the company we went through, they were great:  http://www.skydiverotorua.co.nz/

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Chris M in front of the hanger.                    Megan M & Megan P ready to go.

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Kathleen & Chris M suited up to go                Chris M doesn't look so sure
                                                                        about the fall anymore.


Still Intrigued?
 http://www.rotoruanz.com/
 http://www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz/