Sunday, March 19th, Rotorua Sightseeing

We woke up Sunday to the realization we were on the top of a volcano! We had a quick breakfast at the hotel. Then boarded our coach for a little driving tour of Rotorua. One of the interesting buildings we saw was previously used as a hospital. There was a major earthquake a few years ago and it is too unstable to use. There are plans to shore it up so it can be used again. In front of it are large fields for playing cricket.

The coach stopped at a geothermal area in town. There is a walking path through the area and people use it all the time for walks, runs and biking. We walked a path with little fenced off areas. Each was an opening for sulfuric steam and extremely hot water to come out of the earth. There is a sulphur odor but it is not as strong as one would think given the area.

We visited Te Puia next.

Te Puia has three things we would visit. The first of these was the Kiwi Conservation Centre. There are three kiwis living there now. Two are a pair they are hoping will mate so they can use their offspring to repopulate the bush. Kiwis have wings but they cannot fly. They are about the size of a chicken. Kiwis are nocturnal and therefore hard for visitors to see. This center was set up so the day and night are reversed for the kiwis. It is dark inside and you are not allowed to take pictures of any kind. Before we entered they let us take pictures of Stuffy. This is a kiwi that once lived in this Conservation Centre and passed away. They had him stuffed for display. The eggs in the display are actually kiwi eggs. When the female lays these eggs they are about 20% of her body weight. Yikes!! Kiwi's also have nostrils for a nose at the end of their very long beak. Other birds do not have this. 

Then we went to the Geothermal area for Te Puia. The first thing you see is a bubbling mud pool. Then the steam coming from the ground. There is a geyser that goes off at regular intervals. 

Claude is sitting on steps that are very, very warm. Part of our group laid down on these steps so they could get some warm therapy for their backs. If you are wearing thin pants, you can't sit there very long. 

We went back to where we entered and walked over to the third portion of Te Puia. 

The third part is the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. It is funded by our entrance fees and purchases from the gift shop. The students receive scholarships from the money to learn to do things the way their ancestors did. They learn in three areas: wood carving; stone, jade and bone carving; and weaving.

We visited wood carving first. They even do commissioned pieces.

The second area in the Institute was carving of stone, jade and whale bone.

The third and final area in the Arts & Craft Institute is weaving. Flax is used extensively for this.

Next you walk through a small museum of their work.

As we left Te Puia, our guide said, "Stay positive. Test negative. And have a good day!" This was in reference to Covid.

Now we were off for a nice lunch and to play for the afternoon. We would ride gondolas up a mountain. At the top there were many activities to choose from. We started with a buffet lunch. I would get to try pavlova, that meringue dessert that everyone loves. It was very good. Then we could chose what we wanted to do. There were zip lines, a luge, dirt bike trails down the mountain, a winery, and The Swing! We chose The Swing.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. A swing is such fun. The three towers in the picture are the swing. 

They strap you in. This is to be sure you are firmly and securely in your seat. We would be very grateful for these straps when they pulled us up to the top. I was given a rope.

The seat we are strapped into is pulled all the way up to the top of the back tower. You are very, very, very grateful you were so securely strapped in. Your behind is up in the air and those straps are the only thing holding you in that seat. 

The person in control at the bottom yells up to me and McKenna and I pull on the rope that was handed to me. That pull released the swing and you come tumbling down at great speed. Stretch this picture and enjoy our expressions as we come down.

Then your swing goes flying out into the open air between the other two towers and out over the edge of the mountain. You will swing back and forth until the swing slows down. The worker will catch the swing with some kind of hook and pull it to a stop. I can say I am really happy we did this. I can also say I am happy we never have to do this again!!

A view of Rotorua from the top of the mountain. 

We visited the Jelly Belly store. They had these pictures made out of Jelly Belly Beans.

We went back to our hotel. In the evening we would attend a Hangi dinner (it was cooked in the ground) buffet. Then we would be entertained with Maori music and dance by a Maori family. Delightful evening.

Time for a good night's rest so we would enjoy Monday.