On to the North Island

It is time to move on to the North Island after spending 12 great days touring the South Island from Queenstown in the south to Blenheim in the north. We will do so via Air New Zealand connecting through Wellington the capital to Rotorua our next two day stop. Rotorua is famed for its thermal baths and nearby White Island which is an active volcanic island about 30 miles off shore. Rotorua is also an area with strong Maori ties although it is inland.

We are again staying in a boutique hotel with only 8 rooms but very comfortable lounge and dining areas and large private grounds. Our hosts Kathy and Jenny are very gracious and we were invited to join them and another German couple for New Years eve.

Our “adventure” for Rotorua is an early morning helicopter flight out to White Island. It is about 30 miles to the coast and another 30 miles out at sea to the island. White Island last erupted in 2000 but at the moment is just venting and bubbling! On the way out we circled to observe a school of fish and on the way back we circled to watch a pod of dolphins. The island was clouded over on arrival but we found a keyhole in on the seaward side. It was quite a show as these photos show.




We spent over an hour walking among the vents and cauldrons.












Our afternoon was spent at the Rotorua Museum which was built originally as the thermal bath house and clinic. People came here from around the world in the 1920’s-30’s for the “cure” which included a witches brew of “thermals” and electrical wizardry of the day. Dr Jekyl was the resident MD. An equally interesting section in the museum honored the Maori battalion which fought heroically in WWII. When Hitler asked Rommel what he needed to win in North Africa he replied “a division as brave and tough as the Maori battalion” which he had encountered there. Two thirds of the Maori’s died or were wounded in battle.






We spent New Years’ eve in downtown Rotorua enjoying a fine dinner then touring the town park which had live rock bands and a carnival. It was a family affair since the township declares the area alcohol free for the entire New Years weekend. Try that one at home!