Friday 13th March
Rotorua
This morning we visited the Museum of Art and History which is housed in the original bath house which opened in 1908 and was the first major investment in tourism in New Zealand. It is set in the Government Gardens which were created in the 1890's.
www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz



Some of the original steam rooms are preserved as well as some of the basement mud baths.

We started our walking tour at the museum and then passed this Maori war canoe that has been recently built by local carvers.

We strolled along the lake shore until we reached Tamatekapua Meeting House, part of the original Maori village.

We climbed a hill to Kuirau Park which is the most recent town centre volcanic area. We walked around this large volcanic lake with steam, bubbling water and mud. There were many more small thermal areas that were fenced off in the park. The water was very hot to the touch where it could be reached.

We drove up to Whakarewarewa Forest to follow the Redwood Trail. We walked for half an hour among the Giant Californian Redwoods which were planted just over 100 years ago. The tallest is 220 feet high and 66.5 inches in diameter.

www.redwoods.co.nz

In between the Giant Redwoods were giant tree ferns competing for light and the highest that we have seen.