We picked up the rental car after breakfast. Driving on the left took a little getting used to but co-pilot Aasma diligently reminded me to keep left. We were headed to our next destination, Rotoura. The three-plus hour route was all highway until we were very close to our next destination, the Treetops Lodge. The lodge property is very large and contains a number of hiking trails and wildlife.

We took a little stroll past the water buffalo and elk to one of the ponds on the property before dinner. We were the only guests today so we had the entire lodge and restaurant to ourselves. They sat us at the chef’s table so we were able to watch chef Bruce prepare our four course meal.

Our second day at the Treetops lodge was a very busy one. We started the day by driving down to Waiotapu Thermal Park. We’ve been to other thermal areas but this was incredible. We started out with the Lady Knox Geyser which erupts each day at 10:15. While the eruptions start at the same time each day, their strength and duration varies. Our stop there was one of those rare times where being tardy pays off. All of the crowds were there right at 10:15 to see the eruption start. They had all cleared out by the time we arrived at 10:35.

Following the geyser we checked out the mud pools. They warn you to stay behind the fences but Aasma found out the hard way that it is possible to get spooged even if you stay where you’re supposed to.

The rest of the park was great too. The colors in some of the thermal pools were incredible. We saw yellow, orange and even a florescent green.

After a delicious lunch we continued with our exploring. We took a tour organized by our lodge called the Maori Food Trail. It is led by a chef who is ethnic background is that of the indigenous peoples, the Maori. We started with a Karakia (prayer) and a song to show respect for the land and then left the lodge for the trail. He took us through the forest to learn about the local fauna and flora including pikopiko (fiddlehead fern), horopito (a native pepper), houpara (five finger), ponga (silver fern), and ti kouka (cabbage tree) but also to emphasize the respect we need to have for what nature has provided. At the end of the trail was an amazing treat, the Bridal Veil Falls where our guide shouted out a haera ra to honor the falls.

When we returned we watched our chef prepare the food we had gathered during our trek. As a little bonus, a local film crew was filming as he prepared our delicious snack.

For more Rotorua photos check out the Rotorua album.