Sunday, January 10, 2010

7 days in Rotorua

Rotorua is in the lake district of NZ (16 lakes in the area) and within a volcanic geothermal belt. Some of the best hiking and mountain biking in the world on offer here. Here’s the superfast outline of our trip – some detailed bits to follow in time…

DAY 1 SUNDAY

Fly from Auckland to Rotorua in the smallest plane I’ve ever been on. 40minute flight sure beats the 3.5 hour drive.

Breakfast in town after a visit to bike shop Bike Vegas (great suppliers of info, maps and gear). Checked into Flojo’s B’nB. John (of Flossie and John) took us for a quick tour around Rotorua town to point out the main landmarks and good places to eat.

A trip to the Redwoods Info Centre. Up a gondola and down the luge track three times.

Into town and dinner at one of the restaurants in ‘Eat Street’.

        

DAY 2 MONDAY

Rainy morning so planned bike riding and hiking is put on hold. Lovely breakfast in the home of Floss and John.

Visit the Rotorua Museum.

Afternoon hike along the tracks of Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

Supper at Hennessey's Irish Bar – superb fare!

          

DAY 3 TUESDAY

Up early for a morning of mountain biking for Ryan and walking for me. 

Late lunch at Ephesus – wonderful Mediterranean food.

Visit to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Village.

Picnic at side of lake Rotorua.

           

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY

Shorter hike and mountain biking morning.

Brunch at Urbano – very upmarket and yummy.

Back to Whakarewarewa Thermal Village to walk around the hills of their property.

Strawberries, cherries and champagne for late lunch.

Supper 1 – sushi. Supper 2 – Greek meze.

        

DAY 5 THURSDAY

Nice sleep in. Breakfast with Floss and John.

Drive to Okere Village and coffee with superb blueberry pancakes at the Okere Falls Store.

Rafting along the Kaituna river – down a 7m waterfall! Crazy nuts.

Walk around the ‘Blue Lake’ – Lake Tikitapu

Pizza at Papa Luigis for supper.

 

DAY 6 FRIDAY

Relaxed day after feeling – ‘activity-d out’. Stuck in our books for the morning.

Coffee and muffins in town.

Watched ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’.

Good curry at Indian Star for supper.

DAY 7 SATURDAY

Ryan catches the early morning flight back to Auckland.

I do two hiking trails through the Redwood Forest and Phakarewarewa forest.

Catch the afternoon flight back to Auckland.

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