Majestic Sites of Rotorua

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Since it was a long weekend here in New Zealand (Queen's Birthday is celebrated on the 4th of June unlike in Australia, the Queen's birthday is celebrated on the 11th of June), we decided to visit the well known place called "Rotorua". Rotorua is 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours drive from Auckland Central. Indeed, it is quite close proximity wise. Rotorua is called the sulphur city since the smell of sulphur (smells more like boiled egg) could immediately be sensed once you reach the place.

The name Rotorua is derived from 'roto' meaning lake and 'rua', two, signifying Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti, two of the fourteen stunning lakes in the region. Rotorua is where the action is if you want to experience Maori culture.

We stayed in Sudima hotel (a beautificul hotel) fronting the boling lake. Sudima hotel is also adjacent to the famous "Polynesian Spa" Sudima hotel charges reasonable rates. We got a standard family room for NZ$104.00 a night and since we stayed in the hotel, we got a good bargain in getting to watch the hangi dinner and Maori concert for NZ$95.00 for our whole family (normally it is NZ62.00 per adult). In this dinner concert, we were able to participate in a traditional hangi feast with food cooked in earthen ovens and had the experience to watch a Maori concert with action songs, and warlike hakas. Pinky got to experience handling the "Poi" (a string attached to a ball) and Chief got to do the "Haka" infont of all the audience.

We totally enjoyed having a spa moment in the Polynesian Spa place. We spent approximately 2 1/2 hours immersed in the steaming hot water (36 to 42 C) of the 4 lake spa pools. This place is highly recommended. THe charge per adult is NZ$ 38.00. Children (up to 12 years old) are only charged NZ$12.00 per child.

Chief enjoyed the most the place called "Skyline Skyrides" since this place provides the downhill ride called "Luge". This is similar to Australia's Tobogan (where a rider is required to sit with feet up at the end of the board and the rider could control movement of the board by manouevering the handle and the carriage could brake by pulling the handle backward. Besides getting the opportunity to ride the "luge" the Skyline Skyrides on Mt Ngongotaha provides a scenic viewpoint. You can see the views while travelling to the top via cable car and once you are up the mountain, one can enjoy the views through the a summit restaurant.

This restaurant provides a good view of the whole of Lake Rotorua and its enclosing mountain ranges.

Obviously, we will be going back to this thermal wonderland since it is truly a majestic place.

I highly recommend to tourists of all ages to vist this perfect holiday destination at anytime of the year.

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Photos

Maori Warriors with the Paras Family
What a tongue lashing exercise coming from our new Maori friends based in Rotorua.

Nature's gift to the Maori People
The sparkling and steaming lake. Beautiful Rotorua!

Nature's gift to the Maori People 2 - Taken from my Kodak Camera
This photo same as all the nature shots were taken from my Kodak camera. Beautiful Rotorua!

Polynesian Spa
Polynesian Spa Place Hot!Hot!Hot!

Skyline Skyride cable car
Father and son riding the cable car after sliding down the "luge"

Luge racer 1
The Luge racer in action

Luge racer 2
The Luge racer (Little Chief) in action

Skyline Skyride - View from the Summit
Fantastic Views of Rotorua from the top

Steaming Hot - Rotorua
You can see patches of steaming holes all over Rotorua. THis is just a sample.

Comments

[Glen and Eleanor]

Enjoy
Great photos Ronald, we've also got a blog coming up - our Cairns trip. Should be updated by the weekend.

[Rose Marie]

Nice
That's the way to do it, Ronald. While in NZ, you're on holiday with the family, going places and experiencing everything you can. I am sure you had a relaxing time in the spa.