Well what a dream, no one in my dorm at the hostel so I slept like a log. I even managed to watch extra time and the penalties of the Euro Finals. It came home ✅✅ up the lionesses! 🦁🦁. Today’s itinerary consisted of a trip to Hells Gate, approx 10 miles out of Rotorua. But first up Eggs Bene with smoked salmon and a flat white from a local community cafe.
I was picked up at 9.50am, oh no wait it was 10.20 so I was stood like a lemon for half an hour on a street corner outside a South African food store of all places. Anyhow, my shuttle driver was very apologetic and took me on my way to Hells Gate. The name came when over 650 years ago a Māori princess named Hurutini lived within reach of the area. She was married to a Māori chief whose lack of respect and mistreatment drove her to take her own life by throwing herself in a boiling pool. When she found her daughter, Hurutini’s mother let out an anguished cry “Auē tāku tiki nei”. This cry was shortened to Tikitere, the sacred name Hell’s Gate is known by today.
It was a 2km walk around the area with over 20 different viewing points. The pools ranged from a temperate 30 degrees to well over boiling and were pretty acidic so the following sign was pretty appropriate.
Non the less it’s pretty spectacular to hear the earth bubbling below – I just wish you could share smells as it was very aromatic 🤣🤣.
The area was also home to the Kakahi Falls (See above photo). With a temperature of 40 degrees, these are the largest hot waterfalls in the Southern Hemisphere. Historically, Māori warriors would bathe here to remove blood and cleanse themselves after battle as the sulphur acts as an antiseptic.
The last part of the self guided tour was learning the art of Whakairo (Māori caving), I chose the template for strength and it’s not a bad effort in all honesty, a good piece of tat to remember my travels – just got to remember to declare it when I fly to Aus 🤣🤣.
The next part of this visit led me to the mud baths and sulfur waters. The nutrient-rich water relaxes the body, while the mud gently exfoliates the skin. Supposedly I was meant to leave rejuvenated and fresh, ready for the rest of my adventure. I was more stressing that I had worn leggings and that is an absolute no no when wet and damp from a spa 😂. But it was good to just chill.
Upon my return to Rotorua I dropped off my soggy belongings and headed out for a stroll of Rotorua, I was yet to really see the local area. Over 6kms later, I had seen the geothermal pools in Kuirau Park, a little church down by the lake, the lake itself, a load of seagulls (I actually hate these, what is the point to them. They give me the fear everytime I go on break duty 🤪) and the sulfur pools. By the end of my walk I was in need of food and drink, seeing as I had neglected lunch, but some lamb ribs with chimichurri salsa and a whisky sauce hit the spot. This followed by sampling the local Pinot Noir made for another cracking day in New Zealand. This was my last on the North Island, the next stop Christchurch.
Flying Solo 