New Zealand: North Island Part 2 (Rotorua)

We spent two nights in Rotorua.  Both of which were a blast!  We stayed in a very nice hotel called the Princes Gate Hotel.  Our first night we drive in from Hobbiton and headed to the Polynesian Spa.  Which all in all was kinda a disappointment.  I have been to several mineral pools before and thoroughly enjoyed them.  Having heard that this was one the best in the world (although really every place says that about themselves!)  I was expecting quite a bit.  In the end however it was simply a couple pools at different temperatures, and although the view was nice, I could have spent the same time in a bath tub!  If you have never been in a mineral pool then go for it, but all in all I would not recommend this to people!

After the mineral pools we headed out to find some dinner, we ended up, after much searching, at a placed called BREW.  It was delicious!  I have a pizza and a tasting rack (of beer).  After a day with sun, mineral pools, and not too much food it was exactly what I needed.  A nice cozy bar, some beer, a delicious pizza, and some good company!  Not too bad, definitely go there if you get the chance, VERY yummy!

Then we headed to the Princes Gate Hotel for the night.  We had free internet, which is fairly rare on this island we found out later so that was a definitely bonus! Spent some time watching a movie and enjoying the nice room.  Then off to bed because we had a big day planned for tomorrow!

Our second day in Rotorua started at the Fat Dog Cafe and Bar.  A delicious breakfast places where all the locals were.  The food was amazing and the decor was pretty awesome.  This was definitely a place for me.  Eclectic and fun!  Lots of colours and the portions were LARGE!  My mom also forgot to ask for glutton free bread, which is usually a little extra, but they brought her some for free, so not too shabby! Good service and good food!

Then we went to see some of the geothermal activity.  Instead of seeing the tourist ones that are found right outside the town we drove a little while down the road and found a great one, not too busy and just as beautiful!  Orakei Korako was really amazing!  When you get there, there is a little gift shop/cafe where you buy your tickets, then you get on a boat, cross the lake to the geothermal experience.  There is a very nice path, where you walk around for about an hour to two hours.

The colours that the minerals brought forth were truly stunning!

And of course the steam and the smell left a lasting memory as well

After this pretty awesome experience we headed back to town where we awaited our Dinner Adventure for the night.  We had planned on a Maori experience, the other thing Rotorua is well known for.  We spent the night at Mitai Maori Village.  It was really great!  The Maori experience was really interesting, which demonstrations of songs, war dances, and games.  All in all very interesting and well presented!  And then the dinner was delicious!  If anyone is thinking of doing this, without a doubt do it!  So fun!  And we got to see some glow worms in the process as well, not too shabby!

After one more night in Rotorua we headed further South to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing!