Barren, Unique & Colourful Wai-O-Tapu
In which Matt shouts at some Japanese people, goes to see Lady Knox and samples some Kiwi ales.
9 April 2011 - 0028 New Zealand
That’s it! I’m sick if this place (Crank Backpackers). There are some Japanese dudes in the room next to mine who won’t shut up. They keep bursting into spontaneous laughter and talking. They were playing music but I banged on their door and told them to stop it. There really is NOTHING in the way of sound proofing here. Windows are single-pane while the walls are as thin as they can be. The doors are ill-fitting, slam loudly and all of them have squeaky hinges and rattly handles. It’s a hostel you can’t sleep in. What’s the point? I am definitely checking out in the morning and finding a room at a motel. There are tonnes to choose from and all the nearby ones have good reviews. For a few quid more than what I’m paying now, I can have a three room suite with digital tv. Due to the geothermal activity in the area, most of the motels offer hot tubs in their units too.
Right, the inconsiderate douche bags next door have been quiet for about 5 minutes now so I’m going to take my chances and try to get some sleep. I’ll tell you what, it’s very therapeutic writing this. I was sitting here stewing before, but it’s good to vent. Goodnight… I hope!
0900
They weren’t too bad. I got to sleep shortly after I wrote that last night.
I’m currently on a bus to Wai-O-Tapu. For some reason, having just picked us all up, the bus waits at the tourist information centre for 15 minutes. A terrible idea. Whinge, whinge, whine.
1757
Back at the bar across the street for my last meal in Rotorua. It feels like it’s the end of my trip even though I’ve still got over a week left. Tomorrow, Iain and Co are due to kindly pick me up to go back to Auckland. But tonight, it’s the last night of my tour of New Zealand. It’s been 3 weeks of variety and fun and amazing views. I will never forget my time here. So I’m celebrating an awesome trip with a glass of Mata, a local beer recommended to me by the friendly guy behind the bar. I ordered a bottled import and he produced three shot glasses and started filling them with local beers and said I couldnt get them at home and I should try them. It’s not bad. A little bit malty for my liking, but it’s okay.
Today, I spent the morning with a few other people from my hostel at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. A barren, unique and colourful landscape awaited us. One lake was luminous lime green, identical to the colour of Mountain Dew. Also, on the way, we stopped off at some awesomely violent, bubbling mud pools and the rather tame, disappointing staged but ultimately enjoyable Lady Knox Geyser. In all it’s been a great day.
