Getting older….
and celebrating your own birthday is a tricky thing. Luckily I have never had a problem with aging. For many years I didn´t care much about my own natal day. But one day someone told me that she always took the day of on her birthday. To worship herself… to do whatever she felt like. It sounded wonderful to me!
After receiving my “Pounamu” present from Amanda I feel like I do not need anything more for my birthday. But apparently the universe has more for me in mind! On the bus to Rotorua I am reunited with the German lady and we are both staying in the same hostel. Catching up makes the ride go fast.
First thing we do in Rotorua is going for a walk in the nearby Kuirau Park. We appreciate the colours of the pools more than the distinct smell of hydrogen sulfide gas that rises from the ground everywhere. Now we know why the city got its nickname “Sulphur city“. Nevertheless we enjoy strolling around and making plans for the next day… my special yearly day!
Wai-o-tapu
As travelling by public transport comes with some limitations in New Zealand, there are still options. So we book the Intercitybus with our Flexipass to Wai-o-tapu. Once we get off… we have a 2 km walk along a boring road with a lot of traffic. I feel like hitchhiking… and so we do. Lucky at car number 6! A talkative Maori woman tells us to jump on her shuttle bus. She’s about to pick up some guests. Five minutes later we arrive at Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland, pay our tickets and off we go. This touristy spot sure is a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most unique geothermal elements sculpted by thousand of years of geothermal activity. The bright yellow, orange and red of “Champagne Pool” are impressive… but we decide to have my celebration cake at the “Green lake“. Green has always been my favourite colour. Green is nature….. leaves, trees and evidently also the colour of lakes!
Hot-n-cold spa
Around noon we have seen it all. It’s getting busy now. We head of the the hot-n-cold spa pools in the river just a short walk away. This is what life is about! A natural hot spot in the river… some mud just underneath a fern to cover our skin with. A healthy spa retreat all for free. We were having a ball! Cooling down on the other side of the river, where the hot meets the cold stream is heaven. I will never look as young as today! Satisfied and happy we eventually get out of the river and start talking to a young adventurous German couple. They are heading to Redwoods…. and happy to give us a lift.
The Redwoods
The Redwoods…. this day can’t get any better! We opt for the “Green Walk“, what else?! During this Quarry Lookout Track which is about 4,8 m long we gaze at the Sequoia Sempervirens, the mature Douglas Fir, some European Larch, Walnut trees and Eucalyptus. This is like dreaming awake. It’s like walking in a fairy tale. So magical, green and lush. We wander around and keep wondering… .
Fish & Chips for Dinner and to celebrate ME and life as such!
Once more travelling is showing me, that wherever you are… you will always meet the right people at the right moment. Life is an adventure. Kindness is everywhere! Even though my family and friends are currently at the other end of the world, I feel them! They are here with me – in my heart. And physically there’s been this lovely German lady sharing the most magical day I could wish for.
Life is good!
**Links for the local bus in Rotorua – to Redwoods: www.baybus.co.nz
