A Rotorua Ramble

The 1st December is the day the trout stream open for fishing - at least in the N Island - so it was not really surprising that we set out for a stream in the Rotorua area on the 1st.

The road to Rotorua is beautiful - first through farmlands - fat sheep and alpacas, black and white cows in lush green grass, the strange, tall flat hedges that serve as wind breaks for the kiwi fruit orchards. Then the scenery becomes wilder as you pass through the gorges on the way to the rivers, and finally, back to thw flat plains as you reach the lake.

It was a patchy day weatherwise, with cloud, sun and wind playing tag with one another. We walked around the Kuirau thermal park - I am fascinated by boiling mud, and then visited the Museum. It was built originally as a bath house and there are remnants of the crazy "electric" baths, the equipment and the pipes. We also watched a movie - complete with moving seats and bangs - about the volcano that destryed the pink and white terraces.

After checking into our motel we spent a couple of hours out - Pete fished and I read. We'd hoped to go to the Hamurana River mouth on the lakew but it had got so windy, we decided to go to the Ngongatha stream inland. Lots of cars at all the Anglers' Access points - all the locals were out fishing on this first day of the open season. A dad arrived with his blonde haired daughter - about 3 or 4 years old - and they set off down tghe strwam together. Unfortunately, the fish also seemd to know it was 1 December and had hidden - pete didn't see a single fish.

The next morning was mizzly - perfect fishing weather - but not not great for sightseeing, so I joined Pete on the Ngongatha road while he fished. This time he saw fish, but none of them took his fly or paid any attention to him.

The way home was raining but interesting as we took the long road home. At lunch time we stopped at Lake Rotiti and had a meal with the Swan family - Dad - Cob, Mom - Hen, and 4 children - Cygnets 1, 2 3 and 4. Cob had very few manners - waddling up to the car and banging on the window, demanding food. Hen was little more polite and protective of her babies - shooing the greedy seagulls away with a flick of her head.

We drove through Whakathane and Te Puke on the way home. A pleasant little ramble.