Thursday, 20th August 09
Hi everyone! We arrived in Hamilton today after spending 4 good days in Rotorua. Once we got used to the smell of rotten eggs (the sulphur released from underground geothermal activity), it was a really nice town. Because we were there midweek it was very quiet, but we still managed to seek out the livlier spots in the town (lava bar being the best) and had a good time. We met up with a few people and had a great singsong one of the nights – it had to be done at some stage 
Apart from partying and treating ourselves to nice meals in swanky restaurants (we look after ourselves well!), we also managed to see some of the sights. Went to the Rotorua museum which is well worth a visit…I know, I know…museum…boring, but this one is really good! The building was originally the site of the bath house, where people visited from all over the world to bath in the healing thermal waters in the hope of curing themselves of all kinds of diseases. It also has exhibitions about the volcano in the late 1880s that buried several nearby villages and destroyed the pink and white terraces. Fascinating stuff!
photo credit: Ben Newcomer
After our museum visit, we went to the ‘Mitai’ Maori village for an evening of entertainment and more culture! It was a great night. The host was hilarious, the Maori culture show was very good – Haka, traditional songs and dances, tools and weapons etc, and the buffet dinner was delicious! After the village, we went on a stroll through the forest with our torches to see glowworms and then into Rainbow Springs wildlife park where we saw the famous New Zealand Kiwi birds, aswell as some parrots, lizards and other interesting creatures.
photo credit: Allie_Caulfield
The next day, we headed for the Polynesian spa and treated ourselves to a dip in a private deluxe thermal pool. It was really nice just chilling out, looking out over lake Rotorua.
So, we’re just relaxing in Hamilton. We treated ourselves to a hotel, so it is so nice to have a little luxury and an ensuite bathroom, not to mention a tv in our room! Amazing how you take the little things for granted. I’ve just used the gym – God help me, it’ll take a lot of effort to work off all those meals out, but a good start is half the battle 
