ramblings of a Seattle travel, food and photography hound
I was under the mistaken, naive impression that the only geyser attraction in the world was confined to Yellowstone. It turns out that there are many throughout the world. New Zealand has its own, of course, in the so-called Taupo Volcanic Zone, a vast volcanically active area stretching between Mt Ruapehu to the southwest and... Continue Reading →
For diners wanting a taste of food from across the ocean, Sabroso offers Latin American cuisine, which not only includes Mexican food but entrées from South America, too. An American ex-pat and his Venezuelan wife own the place. It gets consistently great reviews on the standard NZ food/travel sites. Inside, the space is modest with... Continue Reading →
New Zealand seems to have a café attached to every kind of business or public building. When we were in Christchurch two years ago, the public library near Sydenham had one. Coffee and snack were served right to your table in the reading room. The local community center where my grandson takes swimming lessons also... Continue Reading →
The full name is Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao, or Whaka for short. A thermal reserve, Whaka is a showcase for geothermal activity—hot springs, mud pools and geysers. The most famous and largest geyser in NZ, Pohutu, which can reach heights of 40m (130ft), can be seen at a distance from an... Continue Reading →
One of the recommended places to have breakfast in Rotorua is the Lime Caffeteria, only a few blocks from the Rotorua Museum. The interior is sleek, slightly retro. There is an upscale ambience but not stuffy. The wait staff is very friendly, helpful when you have questions. The coffee here is stellar, served in a... Continue Reading →
The smell gets to you after a while. Not only is it an assault on the nostrils but, if you're trying to recover from a cold (like we were), it leaves you wheezy and congested. Rotorua reeks of hydrogen sulfide spewed out by the area's mud pools and hot springs. The city literally sits on... Continue Reading →
We stopped for lunch in Tairua, a popular resort town with surfing, fishing and diving recreational opportunities. The commercial district is small with a few shops, galleries, an i-Site center and places to eat. We walked past several restaurants before deciding on The Pepe, which serves basic cafe fare: burgers, sandwiches, fried fish, salads, and... Continue Reading →
After spending the night in Whitianga, we headed south to Rotorua. Along the eastern edge of the Coromandel Peninsula is Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve which was set aside by the government in order to protect a rich variety of sea animals and their habitats. Curiously, the sea creatures here grow bigger and are more plentiful than... Continue Reading →
On our previous trip to New Zealand, we skipped a stopover in the North Island altogether. On this trip, we decided to stay for an entire week. We'd rent a car and drive through the upper portion of the island, making stops in the Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, Waitomo Caves and, of course, Auckland. We arrived... Continue Reading →
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