Breakfast was
part of the deal in the hostel. The lounge was closed from 11 pm and would open
only by 7 am. I had to work in bed due to this restriction. Breakfast consisted
of many types of cereal, bread, preserves, peach in syrup and hot beverages;
enough to start the day. We were ready to get on the road by 8.30 am. Before
leaving the city I forgot to fill up the fuel tank and that kept me anxious
till I reached Tairua, after visits to Shakespeare Cliff and Hot Water Beach. I
got to the fuel station when the odometer said that the remaining fuel would
last another 80 km! I had cut it too fine.
I had enquired last evening, at the
reception, about the places in the neighborhood that we could visit. The lady
had told me that Shakespeare Cliff and Hot Water Beach are within 30 minutes’
drive of the hostel. Since we had taken the harbor walk last evening I factored in the
two visits on the way to Rotorua. It had rained the whole night and the weather
was not conducive to outdoor activity. I was worried that the whole days’
program would be washed out. Even after breakfast was finished the sky was dark
and heavy rain fell intermittently. Despite this we decided to go to
Shakespeare Cliff and take a chance with the rains. On the way I spotted a
couple of strange looking animals in a pen beside the road, which we learnt later are alpacas. Being curious to
explore I stopped the car by the side of the single carriageway and got out to
take a few pictures. In the light rain Shukla and I managed a few. As we were at it we were asked by vehicles in the opposite direction to get off the road and not
park the car as I had, as it would be dangerous in the rain. I knew I had done what I
should not have and quickly left the place. The road users are so concerned for
fellow users who could get hurt due to negligence. Social responsibility
epitomized.
It was more than 30 minutes’ drive to Shakespeare
Cliff. Miraculously, there was a let up in the rain when we reached the car
park of the historic place. We did not know the history behind the place till
we saw the plaque at the lookout point. Apparently, in November 1779 Captain
Cook had observed the passage of the planet Mercury across the face of the sun
and named the Bay thus. There are a couple of recommended walks in the area. At
least seven islands can be seen in the Mercury Bay from the lookout point.
Whitianga had been a popular trading point for kauri trees and gum and gold for
over 100 years in the 19th and 20th century. One of the
information posts at the lookout point illuminated me about the naming of
Buffalo Beach. HMS Buffalo, captained by James Wood in 1840, was abandoned on
the beach after being damaged in the Whitianga River. The remains of the ship can
even now be sighted in favorable tide, reportedly. Views of the beach, islands
and cliff from the lookout point are superb, but we were hindered by the haze
that hung in the air following the rains. At least, we were able to visit the point
without any hassle.
Hot Water Beach was the next point of
interest, not very far from the Shakespeare Cliff. At this remarkable place it
is possible to dig in and experience hot water springs two hours on either side
of low tide. A shallow ‘pool’ has to be dug in the tidal area which collects
the hot water for a dip in the pool. The hot water is the result of volcanic
activity in the region millions of years ago. Temperature of the two springs in
the beach is over 60 degrees centigrade. We ambled along the beach, observed a
few people engaged in the creation of a shallow pool and left after a short
visit. We did not have the three hours that would be required to enjoy the slow
percolation.
Tauranga was the destination for lunch.
Many had told me that this city is a must visit along with Mount Maunganui. I
could make out that the Port was extremely busy. I later learnt that this is one
of New Zealand’s fastest growing cities in terms of population and commerce.
Located in a seismic faultline the city is open to infrequent seismic activity.
After lunch in a Subway outlet we went to the Bay Oval, the local cricket
stadium, which is often described by commentators as one of the most scenic
locations for a cricket stadium. I was stunned to notice that the stadium was
open and did not have gates or pickets. The outfield and pitches were soggy due
to the copious rains that had fallen here in the past few days. It was indeed a
gratifying experience walking around the stadium and on to the ground. Many
important matches are scheduled in this venue in the next couple of years. Much
as I had wanted to visit Mount Maunganui I dropped the idea due to
intermittently heavy rains.
Okere Falls is less than 30 km from
Rotorua. It is the location of an old hydro power house. Remnants of it are
still visible. The falls itself is not very impressive, but the clean water is.
The area is popular now for rafting and fishing. Another attraction in the
place is Tutea Caves, named after a local chief of the past.
As you drive into Rotorua you are
stunned by the vast water bodies that you drive by. The region has at least ten
major lakes, formed by seismic activity. The city is part of the most
volcanically active places in the world, the Taupo Volcanic Zone. It was not
difficult to find the YHA in Rotorua. The rooms were small, but clean and
comfortable. I was given a slot in a secure parking at a site nearby. After
keeping the luggage in the room we drove to the city center to secure some
grocery and possibly dine out. The city center is a marvelous place with clean
streets, narrow roads, sculptures everywhere and the Eat Street bounded by a
park and fringed by the Rotorua Lake. We had a lovely time walking around in a
light drizzle. Near the lake there were flocks of seagulls feeding off from the
tourists and providing fabulous photo opportunities. The Black Swans in the
lake were another attraction.
The Eat Street in Rotorua is one of
the most happening places in the city. It has a range of bars, cafes and
restaurants in an all-weather setting. The roofing of the eateries are
retractable and the footpath is thermally heated. The theme of the décor is
wood. We inspected the menus of many restaurants in the street and finally
settled on the Indian Star restaurant. The food was exceptionally good.
However, I could not finish the portion of chicken biriyani, being the only
non-vegetarian in the group with no one to share. The leftover will serve for
dinner tomorrow night. On the way back to the hostel we shopped for milk and
sugar in a shop run by a young guy from Rajasthan, who went to great lengths to
impress upon us that he was not good with books and was a sports person. With the
weather becoming colder by the day we stopped by at another shop to buy caps
and gloves. The shop had some good options for fridge magnets and we bought a
couple. Roy Vellara is a Facebook friend with whom I had got in touch in Auckland. He had proposed lunch at his home in Taupo when I got to Rotorua and I had accepted the invitation for myself and on behalf of my friends. I spoke to him and finalized arrangements for the next day before ‘hitting the sack’.
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