My alarm didn’t go off (a.m and p.m? Who knows?), but Eduard woke me up about ten minutes later. Had a warm shower on cold stainless steel, ate some yogurt and loaded up the car for the last time.
Another excellent drive, and we stopped a few times for photo opps despite the fact that time was of the essence. Couldn’t help but think of Marley on her bike as we ascended and descended our way through the mountains. It’s tough enough in the Sirlioin (Nicole, the American I picked up in Te Anua originally thought she read “Sirloin” instead of “Sirion” on the back of the rental car, and the name sort of stuck).
Filled the car up in Christchurch, and circled the airport until I found the car rental drop off location. It was something I’d been meaning to do beforehand, but we found it easily enough. It being big and neon green didn’t hurt.
Checked in at the airport, and Eduard and I chatted for a bit. He had 8 hours until his flight, so we said goodbye before I passed security. He had made a nice travel companion. I gave him the cds I’d burned in Queenstown as a parting gift, as he seemed to enjoy what he was hearing most of the time. Or maybe he was just humouring me? If only friends in Canada were so kind.
For some reason I was in a first class seat on the 1 hour and 20 minute plane from Christchurch to Rotorua. I swam about in my seat for a bit, and awaited my foot rub, but it never came. I was offered a cookie, though. Very roomy, regardless – I’ve had great luck on most of my flights – and hopefully my flight to Shanghai in a few short days will be as rewarding.
Shuttled into Rotorua , and checked into the hostel. First thing to hit you in Rotorua is the smell of sulphur in the air. It sits in the base of a (dormant, I hope) volcano, so you’re also surrounded by mountains. Next stop was the tourist information building, where I learned that everything in Rotorua is pretty pricey. I decided to check out the lake (free) and Rotorua museum (not free). I’d just missed the tour (free) at the museum, so I figured I’d get something to eat first and catch the next tour, since I was starting to get a little famished.
The tour was alright, but the museum itself wasn’t overwhelmingly great. The building was really nice (no photos), and used to house many old baths – used for medicinal purposes. Apparently the owners underestimated the staining and corrosive power of sulphur, and gave up on the business eventually. It was a night club for a spell before beoming a museum.
The town of Rotorua simply died at night. I headed back to the hostel and read. Headed to the grocery store and bought some spring mix salad for dinner. Back at the hostel, some Norwegian girls took pity on my eating salad with no dressing and offered me the remains of their pasta. I explained that I was okay with the salad, and was actually eating as much of it as I could now because fresh salad is likely to get you sick if you eat it in Asia.
Met one of my roommates, Fwad, from Pakistan who was in town with his brother (missing in action), read some more and went to bed.