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Ok, I dont actually mean my stink, but the stink of Rotorua. To be fair, it wasnt as bad today as it can be, but still quite odd. Used to it now though. Left Taupo at 9am, having got up at 7am for a skydive which didnt go ahead, argh, is it not meant to happen!? Picked up a few at another hostel, and who should get on but Charlie who I met in Oz. Had a bit of a catch up on the bus and am actually about to go and join him and some guys for some cards. The journey to Rotorua was only an hour, so not too bad a day for travelling! On arrival, we had an introduction to Maori culture, which actually turned out to be one big advert for their concert and meal in the evening, which I didnt go to! Then got dropped off at our hostels.
Having checked in very quickly, I went straight out to make the most of my only day here. I walked down the road to the information centre, which is an impressive building in itself, where I got the shuttle bus to Te Puia. This is a
maori run area of natural geysers and mud pools, very cool. It was like some strange planet or something, with strange pools,. bubbles, and steam coming up all over the place. Had a wander round myself, and was lucky enough to catch the main geyser spewing water 15m into the air, not bad he says. Then joined a tour which lasted about 90mins, which took us all around the site. It was cool as we got some background on maori culture/beliefs, before being shown the carving and weaving schools (people actually working) and then finally being taken around some of the main pools and geysers. They had one pool called the cooking pool which they still use. There was a lady cooking corn and mussels in it which I though was pretty wicked, though I didnt have anything! After a quick look round the meeting hall, I walked back into town which took about half an hour.
Back into the centre, I headed to the gardens and museum. For a moment I though i was in the UK again. Big Lawns for bowls, a bandstand, and lots of more english architecture. The museum building was amazing, and used to
be a spa and treatment centre for the ill and wounded. They still have a lot of the underground plumbing in, and have preserved some of the bath rooms to show you. I went down into the basement to see the pipes, and had to put a hard hat on, thats what you call health and saftey! From the basement I then "climbed" up to the rook look out, where I got a good view out over the lake and the rest of Rotorua, which is flat itself. The museum had some other good exhibitions, including a very good film (with moving chairs) about the volcano explosion back in the 1800's.
From the museum I headed over to the Blue baths, for a quick look, before heading to the lake shore. Here I walked around the lake to a little village with a cute little church and meeting hall. Now these are Maori built, and you can tell because of the way they look from the outside. Also, there is a very cool glass window in the church, which portrays Jesus with a maori cloak on, and it actually looks like he is walking on the lake. My last
stop after this, was a walk through a park, of which the name i cannot remember. This had a lot of pools and things with the steam coming off. I still cant get my head round it. Everywhere you look you can see bubbling pools or steam coming from the ground. Very weird!
Headed back to the hostel just as it got dark, and had a bit of a sit down, that makes me sound soo old. I then ehaded out to buy some tea as I couldnt be bothered to cook. Ended up getting a very nice indian takeaway, with naan bread, and i hate the whole lot, good times, though a little full! Mum and Dad, that doesnt mean I dont still want to go for that Indiad! That was about an hour a go, and since then I have sorted my stuff out for my blackwater rafting/caving tomorrow, and have now come out to see Charlie.
Bye for now!!
Ps. not many of these blogs left now, how sad!
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