If you have looked into travel recently to NZ, there is a lot of marketing based on the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit destination location. Seems a bit silly really, and Middle Earth didn't mean much to me until last Sunday morning. Up early to enjoy a few quiet moments as children slumbered, I took a walk through downtown Rotorua. A brilliant sunny AM, a few others out, black swans and their young touring the lake's edge, wandering the streets and then it hit me, In every direction there was steam emanating from a variety of places: backyards, vents in the streets, all over the city park, restaurants, you name it. The city park I discovered was sitting on top of an entire geothermal playground: steam vents, bubbling pools of hot water, blurping mud pools, and the not so sweet smell of sulpher everywhere! Must get used to it if you live there but a bit pungent on first take. The place felt so alive, so connected to those interior recesses of the Earth's interior. At last I had found Middle Earth!
Returned to hotel to share my exciting discovery with rest of the gang, and sure enough on our hotel property was bubbling hot water in streams along the driveway. Amazing! We sought a big breakfast and ended up at the Fat Dog cafe, a local favorite, with great coffee drinks, huge plates of food, and a colorful crowd. And to make my point more real, I then walked us through the city park to see and smell Middle Earth as I knew it. Funny as one can pay lots of money to see other geothermal areas with geysers and colorful pools, but I have to say what sits midtown there in Rotorua was equally as impressive. Also to know that at one time, the hot pools there were used for bathing and washing, relaxing in after school and work. What a concept. Now fenced off for protection, still a great asset to this city.
Warm pool for soaking their tired feet and then mud pool on the right, photo does not do it justice. 
Steam and more steam, bubbling pools of piping hot water from below. 
Despite the kids' persistent urgings to go to the luge, I held out as there were still a few things on my agenda to see and do. Wanted to walk through the amazing redwood forest, and check out the great mtn biking trails there for future reference. En route, in a moment of spontaneity, detoured up to Lake Tikitapu or Blue Lake, a few kms out of town. Couldn't resist a quick swim and game of king of the raft to cool off. It is a gorgeous lake, great for kayaking, swimming, relaxing, and as usual on a gorgeous sunny Sunday, only a few others there to share it.
Made it the Redwoods and turns out these are the same trees we have in places like Muir Woods. They have been transplanted from CA as the conditions here are great for growing and they thrive, growing quickly and densely. Magical forest and well used by many, though again you wouldn't know it as crowds were none. extensive network of mtn biking trails to enjoy at later date as well!
And have I mentioned anything at all about the public toilets in this country? Dear Cathy, you would LOVE it!! This is your kind of place. From the toilets in the shopping mall with glass railroad tiles in great colors, to the always well equipped and CLEAN toilets at the base of the Mount to these fantastic metal sculptures hiding the toilets in the Redwoods, I have yet to find a toilet that was not cozy and comfortable and clean! Maggie and I were excited to be able to share this one with two toilets, sink and electric hand drier. Life's simple pleasures!!
And then we were off to the luge, not before yet another minor adventure (no photos, sorry) in search of the great Ciabatta bread bakery for lunch. We saw some yummy loaves at the SAt Market and learned of the bakery so went in search. Turned out to be amazing find not only with divine sandwiches, but the head baker took us all into the back and had us make our own "go-nuts"-combination croissant/donut with cream filling and chocolate icing! The kids could not get over the man's generosity and Noah and I have agreed to return in March when he will offer bread baking classes.
Finally the luge. Enough said really. I think earlier post talks about this as well: small plastic cars on concrete tracks, fast and faster, really fun! As the ad says, once is not enough. Despite the helmets, it can be a bit harrowing. Noah will trying to rescue the flip flop that was coming off, crashed into a barrier, flew off the luge car, acquired a fe abrasions we are still hearing about 5 days later, and had a bit of ego bashing as it occurred just under the return chairlift. I of course knew this was karma for some earlier behavior! It was hot there but really good time for all. Kids also decided that we have to take Buddy to the luge when he comes as he will love it as well! Feeling the need for Speed, Dad?
An easy return home after a full 36 hours, and when asked, we all had to agree that none of the things we did were a flop. Turned out to be quite the successful adventure! Jack and I got in a bit more surfing Sunday night to seal the deal. Surprisingly the Maori event and the Redwoods were among the favorites of the kids despite earlier protests. One never knows I guess. I am just happy to have had the chance to do it!!
back to work and school this week....
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