Rotorua, Maraehako Bay, Gisborne

ROTORUA (Mar. 22-25, 2012)

The next Stray bus heading out to the East Coast wasn’t leaving until Monday so we decided to spend a few days in Rotorua rather than Taupo as there were more activities that we wanted to do there. We actually lucked out with the weather too which was a nice change. On the Friday we went zorbing, which is a huge inflatable ball that you roll down a hill in. It has all the proper supports so you don’t get hurt. With the weather being good, we decided to do the wet ones (they throw water in the ball with you).  We did one together and one separate and got some pretty funny videos from it. Some good photos too.

After our zorb together

The path of the zig zag

The adventures continued the next day when we went white water rafting! There were a few good rapids and three waterfalls we went over- 1m, 2m and 7m! The company incorporated a spiritual aspect to it by praying to the river in Maori asking for protection during our trip. They also made it pretty fun by going over rapids outside the raft, trying to stand and cliff jumping at the end.

Heading down the 7m waterfall!

Our "fish out of water" group photo

For our off-day, we walked around the town and checked out the thermal pools. We think it’s so crazy how there is bubbling mud and boiling water in the middle of a park! I love the fact that the town is able to use the geothermal activity to heat their homes and buildings.

One of the bigger thermal pools in the park

Day 8 – Rotorua to Maraehako Bay

It was already turning out to be a gorgeous day when we were picked up at 8am which was quite fitting for heading out to the East Coast.  The views from the road were stunning as we followed the coastline most of the way to Maraehako Bay. We also stopped for a lot of photo ops along the way. Thankfully too because I don’t I have ever experienced a windier road than SH-35. The only major stop we made was in Opotiki at the “Gateway to the East Cape” for photos and groceries.

Gateway to the East Cape

View of the coastline while driving

Before long we were at our destination. Definitely up there for top accommodation, the setting was phenomenal! You could almost describe it as a treehouse because there were huge trees surrounding the place. But it was also like a beach house with shells and drift wood decorated around. The location was prime, the water was RIGHT there! And like any good beach place, they had hammocks and free kayaks to use.

Front view of our accommodation

View from the kitchen patio

Hammocks out front with a relaxing waterfall nearby. The owners' pet eel likes to hang out below.

After a quick sandwich for lunch, while most of the group went on a crayfishing trip, Adrian and I went on a bushwalk to a hidden waterfall. It took about an hour and a half there and back and wow, was it beautiful! In and out of trees, constantly crossing the stream then BAM, there’s the waterfall. It wasn’t too big but the environment really made it.

Cutting across the stream

Made it!

The two of us by the waterfall

In the evening we had a massive bbq of beef patties, sausages, chicken wings, roasted potatoes and a gigantic salad (greens, carrots, cucumbers, avocado, corn, red onion), soo good! We capped the night with chatting around a fire with our guide and group.

Day 9 – Maraehako Bay to Gisborne

It was a bit tough saying goodbye to Maraehako Bay with the weather being so great and having the water at your front door but we were also really looking forward to seeing Gisborne. We made a few more stops along the way compared to yesterday, our first being at Te Araroa to see one of the oldest pohutukawa trees, aged at 350 years old and 21.2m tall. We also stopped for coffee at the East Cape Manuka Company.

Gives you a pretty good idea of how big the tree is

Our last stop along the way was in Tolaga which has the longest pier in the southern hemisphere, measured at 660m. Although it’s in the process of being restored, people still use it to fish off of and of course we were going to walk the whole thing!

At the end of the pier

Once we rolled into Gisborne, we headed up to Kaiti Hill where we checked out the Cook National Historic Reserve for some history and got an amazing view of the town and the beaches that line it. We then made a short trip slightly out of town to our accommodation for the evening – Rayvon’s Surf Shack. Pretty close to a spot in paradise, the shack is just across the road from the beach and surf boards and boogie boards are free to use! Other cool features include a big fire pit, a hot tub tucked into a hut, and hammocks. The neatest thing about this place is that the guy who owns it is also the one who made it all about 5 years ago, after a retirement from welding.

View of Gisborne from Kaiti Hill

Rayvon's Surf Shack

We spent the late afternoon/early evening enjoying the beach and going for a run along it. For supper we had “hangi in a box”. For dessert we had an impromptu wine tasting around the fire. There used to be a company that ran it but just recently they were liquidated from not paying their taxes…Sooo our guide was cool enough to go out and buy a few bottles of wine and educate us on them all. Amongst them was a chardonnay, the type of wine Gisborne is most known for. It was a fun time and we got to learn a bit about the different wines too!

Mmm, Gizzy Chardonnay

East Coast Trip group photo (Our driver/guide, Jason, is fourth from the right)

We have decided to stay in Gisborne until Saturday when the next bus leaves. During our days here we are hoping to take advantage of any nice weather that comes our way and spend it on the beach, go surfing, ride our bikes into town and explore, and experience a sunrise in the “first city on earth to see the sun”.