Day 28: Hot Spring Rolls

Since there was so much to do in Rotorua, we decided to stay an extra night. Luckily booking rooms and travel was made so easy with YHA International and Intercity Flexipass for busses. We were thoroughly impressed with the convenience and efficiency of both companies.

Rotorua is known to literally be a hot spot for geothermal activity. Last night we visited one of the top 10 spas, Polynesian Spa. Aside from the pervasive and dour sulphuric odor from volcanic emissions, the mineral and hot spring pools were heavenly.

This morning we visited one of the sources of the springs at Te Puia. The geysers erupt several times an hour but you can see the steam rising from the ground and mud pools all day.

Before leaving Rotorua, we just had to try zorbing. Featured in Season 5 of The Amazing Race, I have been curious to try it ever since. Not knowing what to expect, we changed into our bathing suits (yes in the wintertime) and slipped into a gigantic plastic ball along with 40L of (thankfully warm) water. We were then pushed down a hill to follow a zig-zag trail to the bottom.

It was mildly terrifying; in other words, I was screaming the entire way :) Imagine being thrown into a washing machine. That's what it felt like, being swished and swayed in all directions as you dip in and out of the water. It went by pretty quickly and good thing, 'cuz any longer and I probably would've panicked of nearly drowning. Ok, maybe it wasn't that bad. You just need to try it yourself :)