Our daughter had a lovely Canadian girl stay, for the weekend recently. She had not been to Katikati before and had only visited Rotorua, very briefly. Briefly, because her mother when visiting the town, hated the sulphurous smell so much, they cut their visit short. What a pity!
Rotorua, nicknamed Rota Vegas by the locals, has a plethora of attractions. Many, as I have alluded to, in previous posts, are total tourist rip off’s. But that is a mistake, because Rotorua is one hour’s drive from home, I happily take first time visitor’s over the scenic bush clad, back road and leisurely meander through the interesting sightseeing musts.
First impressions count and the street gardens are gorgeous! Thermally heated hot houses in the Government Gardens grow beautiful plants. The Government Gardens are quaint and endearing and have thermal therapeutic baths aside rolling bowling greens, off set with iconic colonial buildings.
Think theme park for real! A fear factor exists, with warning signs extolling the dangers of venturing off the official paths. Kiwi's all grew up with stories of the lady who went down to the garden shed in the dark, never to come back because a boiling hot slump hole bubbled up in her back yard over night. Or, the lady taking her dog for a walk in front of the Rotorua Lake and it went over the yellow and white crusty, geologically challenged termed wording, surface and did not, "Come back Rover". Urban legends belong to this city.
Trout fishing, thermal spas, lovely bush clad walks, Maori tourism experiences, colonial architecture, silly sheep and wild rides.