Monday, January 25, 2016

Escapade in Rotorua

Rotorua District is at the heart of the North Island, NZ. It is famous because it is lying on the large Rotorua Caldera producing lots of geothermal activities in the area, engaging the most number of tourists in New Zealand. Wikipedia says it is a major destination for both domestic and international tourists.

We spent a weekend here, the first day was spent roaming around downtown and the afternoon in Wai-o-tapu, the Thermal Park. Then early on the 2nd day we venture on the road to Wai-tomo for the famous Glow Worm Caves. The weather was good and we maximized our stay to the fullest.

the lobby of the I-Site or visitor center in Rotorua

The I-Site (information center) in Rotorua is a lovely Maori-inspired design, 
with lots of materials and helpful staff. We arrived early, so we ate our packed food at the park behind the building. 
 On we went to roam around town, as advised by readings we went to the Government Gardens. This is the gate full of Maori arts and designs. It took about 10 min walk from the I-Site, and a good 10 min more to the Museum of Arts and History.

 Being a garden park, we see lots of young and old trees, plus of course flowering plants.The above tree is very attractive because it is massive, and the bark is beautifully showing longitudinal colors. I never learned the name of the tree though. Mick at the comment section guessed it might be Podocarpus totara, however i searched and it might as well be a California redwood. I hope someone will provide the ID for this tree, it gets to be impinging in my ears.

 enhanced close-up of the tree's bark

These old buildings are late 19th century built and still useful for the government functions in the park. One is a well serviced cafe,  loans are well maintained and flowers abound.

 Rotorua Museum of Art and History

A ticket is necessary to enter the museum. We intended to get in, but we arrived its perimeter when it is about to close. We failed to see the inside, but we marvel in the beauty of the structural design. 

When almost everyone has already left the premises, it suddenly rained that stopped us from roaming around. We sat on the covered porch and watched the birds. There were few families also caught by the rain and a child fed and played with the birds. We left after a few good 30 min waiting for the rain to stop.

 flowers in an area in the park

 I am so fascinated with the lovely colors of the leaves of this Phormium. 
no such thing like this at home

colorful displays of flowers on the paths in the garden

 a mini pond is also lovely

On the way out at the other side of the gardens, we saw this remnant of the Old Baths, used long ago as spa. The waters are siphoned to the inside for better water temperature controls. Now it is left as as, as a vent probably of the heating magma below their soil. This volcanic spring preempts what we will be seeing this afternoon at the formal Thermal Park. 

We went home already dark, cooked our own food at the kitchen of the Backpack Hostel and slept the night like children. Oh we were so happy!






30 comments:

  1. Beautiful, I was at the same place about 17 years ago, so your pictures brought me sweet memories.

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    1. Hi Janneke, you should find time going there again. I am sure it will still be lovely and fun. Thanks for dropping by.

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  2. Oh how beautifully designed is that building? Makes me curious about the interiors.

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    1. Yes, we were curious too, unfortunately we reached the building when they are about to close. And tickets to get inside are expensive for us too.

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  3. Great photos and the gardens are especially beautiful. Very interesting to see how the traditional style of architecture has been retained. I wonder if that big beautiful tree might be a totara? It has been many years - but the bark is a bit like I remember it.

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    1. Hi Mick, thanks for dropping by. I searched through your lead about that tree, but somehow it is nearer the look of the California redwood bark than the bark of totara, but of course it is difficult for me. I searched for trees in Govt Gardens in Rotorua and says both the redwood and Japanese fir tree are there. Somehow the bark looks like the first. I surely would like to know what it is.

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  4. The Museum building is magnificent and the grounds are very beautiful

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  5. A gorgeous place to explore! Thanks for linking in with "Through my Lens"

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  6. Helo, what a lovely place to visit. The museum building is beautiful and I love that tree. The thermal water is used for a hot spa? Lovely collection of photos.
    Have a happy day and week ahead!

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    1. Eileen, you should visit NZ to add to your treasure of collection of memories. You will not regret it, and you will thank me for urging you.

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  7. I loved the spa waters at Rotorua. Wonderful memories

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    1. We haven't explored the spa, suffice it to say that we saw the hot crater of boiling water. We were there for the volcanoes.

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  8. Very beautiful place and photos, Andrea. The museum grounds are stunning.

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    1. Donna, i hope you can visit NZ too, to add more to your string of countries explored and photographed.

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  9. That looks like a great place to see. I'd love to visit NZ.

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    1. Yes Al, i am sure you will enjoy most of NZ.

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  10. Had the pleasure of visiting New Zealand once and loved it. However, did not see all the beauty you shared. So gorgeous.

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    1. Thanks for visiting here LV, but first i appreciate your years of living. My mother is 85 and despite wear and tear is also up and about. Yes NZ is a very lovely country. I have long been posting all my escapades there and i am not yet finished, there still are some more wonderful sites to post. Please stay tuned.

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  11. New Zealand looks like such a beautiful country. I'd love to visit it one day! happy Outdoor Wednesday!

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  12. The Museum of Art & History is amazing! Such beautiful architecture! Love that tree bark! The grasses and flowers! And the quiet little pool at the last.

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  13. Oh such beautiful photos. I love the grain in the shot of the tree.

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  14. I enjoyed the cyber tour of this garden.
    JM, Illinois-U.S.A.

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  15. What vibrant colors... It looks like a wonderful place to tour and I love the colors in that bark... Michelle

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  16. I,love the architecture of the museum, it and the grounds are beautiful!

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  17. What a wonderful place! The flower gardens are beautiful and the architecture of the buildings is pleasant. The bark of the tree is fascinating!

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  18. Lovely photos, brings back wonderful memories of our 18 months living in New Zealand.

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    1. Oh Karen, i wish i had that opportunity too, i love NZ!

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