Rotorua

I took a weekend trip south of Auckland to Rotorua, the 'thermal wonderland' of New Zealand. It was amazing!! The town itself was a sleepy lake town with random bubbling mud pits, steaming hot pools and lots of Maori culture. The weather was beautiful and sunny for the first two days (for me to see everything!) and then delightfully drizzly and misty for my last day when I could enjoy the famous Polynesian spa and the Rotorua Museum. It was a great, relaxing get-away.

Kairua Park, next to my hostel.

Hot mineral pools in the park.
Church on the lake.
Maori meeting house. (You see these everywhere throughout New Zealand)
The lake.. birds were EVERYWHERE.
Sulfur Bay, a thermal area of the lake.
A good example of the duplicity of Maori and white/european culture.
The Government Gardens
The Rotorua Museum. (Surrounded by cricket, crochet and lawn bowling lawns..!)

The Polynesian Spa

Me, with the view and my cozy robe... such luxury!
Does it get much better than this...?
There was a lakeside concert and fireworks.. perfect end to the day!