Chapter 4: Rotorua

10/12/19

Aaaaaand its time to leave Auckland. For real this time, but don’t be sad. I will be returning soon, hopefully with a driver license in my pocket! Back to basic it is, and the Intercity bus to Rotorua is leaving at 9:30 am so no time to waste. I leave my bulky luggage at the City Lodge, explain them one more time the importance of the Fedex delivery, and I am off to the bus terminal. Waiting there reminded me off Brazil and Myanmar bus terminals although this one definitely felt less sketsky. No random fuel stops in the middle of the night where the bus driver takes of with your luggage randomly or driving on tiny dirt roads packed with traffic and large trucks. No, the kiwi buses are cool and the next 4 hours should be a breeze in the park.

Driving out of Auckland was nothing special although one emergency stop was necessary to tighten up the tires. The suburbs and traffic

slowly give way to green glowing hills and little packs of sheep. The nature scenes are magnificent and give a sneak peak of what to expect from New Zealand. But first one more stop, Hamilton. Two new passengers steps up and sit in front of me. They look kinda strange and my suspicion was confirmed when they tried to sell pain pills to me and the other passengers on the bus. Straight out of jail apparently, proudly showing their conviction papers to whoever wanted to know. Well, New-Zealand, you manage to surprise me every day. Luckily Rotorua, the land of 18 lakes, is approaching fast and the view gives way to a spectacular scenery. I get off the bus and the smell of sulfur immediately hits you in the face. It’s strange, like someone has farted really badly but no, the flavor is originating from the geothermal activity in the largest lake.

I make way to the Central Backpackers Hostel. The communication between the new Asian owners is rather difficult since they only took over the hostel last weekend and their ‘hotel vocabulary’ is not yet settled in. After groceries shopping and a small walk around town it is time to relax. Enough action for today, the Polynasion Spa is lurking for me. People who know me know that I enjoy a couple of things. Two of them being tumbling in the water and hot water baths. Well hello 38°- 41°degree swimming pool, here I come! The Polynasion Spa is separated in different pools of different temperatures and minerals. The magnificent view over the geothermal lake is included and brings calmness to me. Additionally, ending the day with a shower full of naked Azian dudes, that is one way to get relaxed!

After 18:00 Rotorua looks like a ghost town. Everything is closed and the streets are deserted. I meet up with a few friendly Argentinians/Chileans in the hostel. Apparently, obtaining a working visa for New-Zealand is rather easy and they earn more than in their home country. We go out for a 6 dollar beer in a local bar. Here, One Direction is playing, making me wonder, what is the story of my life? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-TE_Ys4iwM). Now it’s one for sleep, but that only worked out for 2 hours. Staying in hostels might not be the best for my insomnia, but that is something statistics has to figure out first.

Greetings,

Steven

11/12/19

Today is finally the day for my first proper hike! I am going to Wai-O-Tapu, a living breathing masterpiece nicknamed thermal wonderland. The place to be if you are into geysers, volcanic plumes and colorful water ponds. Sculptured out of volcanic activity and thousand years in the making, this place is considered to be New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attraction. After half hour, the Intercity bus drops me and a couple of other dudes at the gas station in front of the national park. The bus driver politely informs us that we still have to hike 1.5 km before we arrive in the national park.

Well time to pick-up the pace because geyser Lady Knoxx is about to erupt, 10.15 am sharp. Kinda forced she is, since the small addition of eco friendly soap facilitated the spectacle. One might say it was not that impressive but hey, you get what you pay for. This was the start of a small hiking trip in volcanic water pond land. The Waikotapu park itself is very nice and beautiful colors are intertwined with the smell of sulfur and bubbles originating from the hot water. Each pond has it own story and give insights into how Kiwi use their natural resources to the fullest. Shitloads of pictures later it seems to be that five ‘couchkes’ of sunscreen were not sufficient to prevent my arms from starting to burn. Oh dear, the hole in the ozonlayer is definitely a thing in New Zealand. The temperatures are not that high but the X-rays are doing their work here at the other side of the blue dot.

6 hours later all the hiking is done and I can end my trip with a well-deserved caramel milkshake. I take the bus back and meet the new guests at the hostel. I teach a Japanese dude how to open ‘a pintje’ with a knife and learn why German people like New Zealand. All in all, not a bad day. However, my Tinnitus is getting very loud so time to hit the bed. Apparently there was a landslide on the main road I was going to take to the Southern Island which can not be cleared before the end of January. Well, that is something to think of but not today.

Greetings,

Me