#nadiagoingplaces: napier

In this post I am going to talk about Rotorua, Napier, Hamilton and everything in between! We stayed in YHA Napier, Four Canoes Motel in Rotorua and YHA Waikato (June's Hall). My favourite is the June's Hall since it is a farm stay.

Little lamb at June's Hall backpackers

The North Island is famous for it's volcanoes and the seismic activity. Another thing that is famous or shine in the North is the culture. I am talking about the Maori people, the people of New Zealand. The North is an amazing place to learn about the Maori culture.

This is why we are going to talk about Rotorua. Rotorua is famous for it's geyser, mud pool and Maori villages. We can see a lot of Maori culture pieces all over in new Zealand but it is much more intensified in Rotorua itself. Since we got the discount from our Arrivals magazine, we went to the Whakarhewarewa Maori village. It is a legitimate living Maori village where real people still lives there.

I am a Malay girl and Malays genealogy are the same as the Maori people. Our genes are directly under the Pacific Islander cluster. That explains why Malays and Maoris look so much alike! We were told that there have been 7 generations living in the village and the Maori people usually lives by the thermal pools for heat and energy source. They even cooked using the hot thermal pools in the village.

Yep, that is a thermal pool

The Haka Dance

We were entertained by a cultural show by the Maori people in the village. We are free to roam around the village and see what the villagers do. This is a modern village, they do have electricity, cable, cars etc. But they do keep their culture intact. Interesting enough, I met one of my colleagues who is actually on holiday with her family.

We went to a free thermal pool in the city. Most pool charges you but since this one is government own, it is free. Ooh, when you enter Rotorua, you can smell the Sulfur overtime you breath.

Rotorua Lake

We did went to the Rotorua lake to enjoy the scenery and we detour a bit to see the Huka Falls. The sheer amount of water is just amazing. When in Rotorua, do not forget to visit the Te Puia Thermal Wonderland. They have the Lady Knox geyser and several thermal pools. Funny story, the discovered the geyser because some inmates were washing clothes by it and the geyser force flew the clothes by a couple of hundreds meter in the air.

Lady Knox geyser

Champagne Pool

The Devil's Bath

Huka Falls

We do explore to a lesser known site called Craters if the Moon. It is like a massive field with lots and lots of craters created by the small geysers and seismic activity. It was getting warm this time around and we did not enjoy the Craters of the Moon as much as we'd hope for.

Another famous filming location is the Mount Ruapehu which is Mount Doom in the Lord of The Rings. We actually wanted to do the Tongariro Alpine Trek but time is just not enough. The total time for the trek is 8 hours so you will need to spent at least 2 nights in the area to conquer this trek. Maybe next time! The next city is Napier. It is a laid back town by the coast. Of course, famous for it's fresh seafood. We just linger around the town and visited the Te Mata peak or as the called it the Sleeping Giant.

Te Mata Peak

Te Mata Peak - there is a trail starting from here

Napier town centre

Pacific Ocean

Mount Ruapehu/ Mount Doom/ Mordor

The final destination in North Island is the Waitomo Glow Worm Cave. Please go here. I could not emphasize enough on how this is the underdog attraction in North island. The glow worm is just amazing! It is like a trip to a milky way and I was surprise why this is not one of the wonders of the World. You will be guide through a cave, explaining the formation and you will be placed on a boat into the darkest cave you ever been in to witness the beauty this glow worm creates.

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