In the dim and distant past I recall a bottled soft drink called Kia Ora. I think it was orange squash flavoured. Kia Ora is a Maori greeting for anything from ‘hello’ to ‘hope you are well’ etc. So now you know. Yet another piece of instantly forgettable trivia!
This morning, whilst waiting for the rain to stop (again), I found an excellent shop selling both new and second hand books. So I took the opportunity of stocking up. 3 good second hand novels for the same price as one new one in Auckland. Result!
The rain didn’t stop. The only rain I like is the dramatic, tropical stair rod stuff. Any other type I can do without, especially the tormenting rain. The type that stops and just when you think the coast is clear, it starts again, and again and again! But I’m not here to sit inside, read a book or watch Midsomer Murders on local TV (or The Chase, Hollyoaks, Pointless or all the many other UK TV programmes here). So off I went to enjoy the scenery
or what I could see of it!
Once outside Rotorua, the smell of sulphur becomes less intrusive although there are still a few hot spring ‘bonfires’ around.
Canoeing/Kayaking or whatever it’s called is a popular macho man sport here and with all the rain there are plenty of places to indulge. Okera Falls is a great venue for such activity and I have to say it makes for dramatic viewing, even watching underneath dripping foliage.
I think these guys were involved in some sort of timed trial. Most of the contestants navigated the swirling waters successfully
although one or two did come to grief over this bit.
Cascading rivers such as this one end up in the many lakes that surround Rotorua which I am sure are stunningly beautiful on a good day.
But not today!
The rain did ease off enough on my way back to base for a stop off and a short walk through one of the many, many pine forests in this area.
where also, large quantities of these splendid fern trees abound.
But it’s the fir trees that dominate until, of course, they are cut down.
Close to the centre of Rotorua there is a sizeable forest full of majestic Redwoods. So I just had to take a look before the next downpour.
What grand pieces of timber they are; some reaching more than 300 feet high!
But then it started to rain again so I gave up and scuttled back to my motel leaving the weather to animals better prepared!
I’m heading back to Auckland tomorrow where, who knows, it might not be raining!
Phileas
thelasthurrahsite 