Day 23: Rotorua
We arrived this afternoon in Rotorua, famed for its geothermal activity and geysers, some of which occasionally bubble up in peoples’ backyards. According to Māori legend, geysers are a gift from the gods. The Te Whakarewarewa Valley covers approximately 60 hectares/148 acres and is home to more than 500 geothermal phenomenon. There are seven geothermal fields in the Rotorua area, aptly nicknamed the “sulphur city”. That leaves me pondering just one important question...why would you build a city here???
After walking the town and enjoying a local brew at The Pig & Whistle, I was off to experience Hell’s Gate, this areas most active geothermal park. George Bernard Shaw, as he gazed upon the land, gave it the English name "Hellsgate" since he believed he had arrived at the gates to Hell. Some of the features of geothermal parks are boiling hot pools with temperatures in excess of 100 C/212F; steaming fumaroles; hot water lakes; sulphur crystals and deposits…oh the smells. Seriously, they built a city here WHY?!?! I went for the geothermal mud baths and sulphureous spas to soak in and relax after all the travel I’ve been doing.
The healing and detoxifying mud is silky smooth, the baths, both mud and sulphur, were between 100-104F/38-40C. The smell was of rotten eggs, as you can well imagine. The experience was unique, talk about immersing myself in my surroundings. 👍😘❤️
Tomorrow, early in the morning, I am off to visit the Shire. I am sooooo excited!!
the photo album
