Waitomo/Rotorua/Bay of Plenty

So far, we adore New Zealand. Crystal clear water, an abundance of tropical plants, and pastoral rolling pastures rife with fluffy sheep, cows and turkeys. And kind, incredibly friendly people from all over the world.

From Auckland, we journeyed south through Waitomo, which means water that flows into the earth.  We went Black Water Rafting, which entailed climbing down into limestone caves and then tubing and climbing and jumping over waterfalls, then floating through dark caverns with extraterrestrial 'constellations' of blue glow worms (actually Fungus Gnat larvae, but that's a whole different story that involves aged bug smoothies...). 

Constellation of Glow Worms

 

 

 

(What they look like in light)

Truly other-worldly!

All geared up for the caves.

After that, we visited Marokopa Falls, which was absolutely spectacular. It was so beautiful I got goosebumps! It's as if somebody created a backdrop that would facilitate the perfect waterfall, and then positioned a wide river at the top of it. Truly breathtaking.

 

Marokopa Falls

Then we explored Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty. There's a lot of geothermal activity in the region, which includes sulphuric hot springs on the bank of the Rotorua Caldera. To earn our afternoon soak, we climbed Mt. Manganui, which led to some epic ocean vistas. The photos don't do the colors justice, the sea blended a million different shades of teal and green!

Brian spent the hike looking forward to a dip in the bay at the end. I just waded in the *cold* water while he swam - where other swimmers were wearing wet suits. (He decided that he was sufficiently refreshed when he noticed a couple of large jellyfish keeping him company.)

 

On our way up Mt. Manganui

View of the Bay of Plenty from the summit

Cooling off in the Bay after the hike down

 

Our last day there, we took a gondola up the mountain for a great view of the lake, and spent a couple of hours racing each other down 'luge' tracks. It was a little taste of Mario Kart powered by gravity, minus the banana peels.

 

 

After that, we explored a Redwood forest planted in honor of WWII soldiers. We hiked around a beautiful quarry during the day, then toured an elevated walkway after dark. The evening lighting was magical! The suspension bridges started about 3 stories high - probably this would have been an issue for me if I could clearly see the ground, but my fear of heights didn't distract me in the dark. It is a really cool and innovative installation.

 

He calls this "Tree Pose in the Trees"

 

Also, this is the region where kiwi fruit is grown. I've never seen a kiwi plant before, and thought we were driving through some really hearty grape vines until I realized they were kiwis! (So far, the golden variety are my favorite to eat!)

 

 

Lake Rotorua

Geothermal activity near the baths