It was a really cold, windy, and rainy day in Rotorua but we made the best of it.

Tried doing a walk along the lake boardwalk, but it was just too nasty. Next was viewing the multiple mudpools and hotsprings that are too hot or toxic for bathing. The smell was so bad, we eventually fled to the Whakerewherewa redwood forrest for a hike to get some fresh air, and wait for our appointment time at the Polynesian Spa.

Tried to walk along the lake boardwalk but it was cold with nasty winds and rain so we gave up

I need a gas mask!

The sulfur smell of this mudpool is even worse than Shawn after eating a triple cheese pizza!

Even Shawn couldn’t handle the smell of this hot spring (212°F 🔥)

I am surprised anything is able to grow, thrive, and be green anywhere near these mud pools & springs

These are California redwoods that were imported and planted in 1901,and still thriving today.

Ahhh, no winds or stink at the redwood forrest, but the rain kept spitting down

Shawn spies a blue Pukeko bird and chases it for a picture

Picture of the Pukeko, kinda like a blue chicken

Pukeko bird info.

Finally time to warm up at the Polynesian Spa. Our package got us 40 mins in a private pool, then unlimited time in their multiple alkaline and acidic pools of varying temps.

Finally warming up in our private hot spring

Raining again, but don’t care anymore

Time for a hearty dinner of local beef while sitting next to a warm fireplace.

Aged ribeyes for dinner

Added some big prawns for surf & turf

Snack time! The next chapter in Uncle Kenny’s saga