"Rotorua - feel the spirit – Manaakitanga"

Rotorua is a unique destination on the shores of the Lake Rotorua which is in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island in New Zealand. It is the cultural capital of New Zealand and is famous for its geothermal activity and natural features like geysers, hot springs, mud pools and craters.

The name Rotorua comes from Māori, the full name being Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe; roto means lake and rua, two – Rotorua thus meaning 'Second lake'. Kahumatamomoe was the uncle of the Māori chief Ihenga, the ancestral explorer of the Te Arawa. It is the largest of a multitude found to the northeast of the city, all connected with the Rotorua Caldera and nearby Mount Tarawera. The name can also mean the equally appropriate 'crater lake'.

Rotorua has been a "spa" destination from the 1800s when rich British and European tourists came to take the waters. It was renowned for its famous pink and white terraces which were regarded as the eight wonder of the world. Unfortunately for us, it was destroyed by the great volcanic eruption in 1886.

The white terraces (source:wikipedia)

The pink terraces (source:wikipedia)

You "smell" Rotorua as soon as you enter it! The smell of sulphur is very strong and it does take getting used to. But it is because of the sulphur that it has become famous and has been at the centre of life in NZ for centuries. There is plenty to see and do whilst in Rotorua, so one must plan carefully. We managed to do quite a bit of varied activities in 2 days and I do hope it inspires you to visit this unique place.

Rotorua Museum of Art and History:
The museum is housed in an imposing building which is built in the Tudor style. It does look out of place in this beautiful land so far away from the mother country England. It was originally built as a "bath house" where people could "take the cure" or "take the waters".  It first opened in 1908 and it was the New Zealand Government's first tourism initiative in Rotorua. However, it was shut down and later reopened as a night club. Later it became a museum and in order to bring some respectability to the place, they commissioned some sculptures which were copies of the Renaissance masterpieces in Europe.

Whilst at the museum, please do visit the cinema where they show you a film on the history of Rotorua and most importantly they do a documentary of the pink and white terraces. Also worthwhile is the free guided tour by knowledgeable and entertaining guides.

http://www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz/

The imposing Bath House in Tudor style

A relic from the days when it was a nightclub!

This totem pole reminds of the ones I saw in Vancouver.

Skyline rides offer a gondola ride to a height of 487m where you have a panoramic views of Rotorua and its surroundings.