It's our last day in Rotorua and we would back in the afternoon. Before us back, Gugi's family wanted to show us around. Our first destination was Green and Blue Lakes. These lakes locate in the same area. We only saw the lakes from far, because it took time to walk there.
Here's some pictures that I was able to get, I tried to capture the color differences between those lakes, yet it was not that easy.
Sometimes when you are going to another city for business purpose, you don't think much about the attractions. Especially, when you are in the middle of a busy work before the trip. I guess that's what I could say about my weekend getaway to Rotorua. I was busy with my reports and journals to read before I left, I didn't even realize that I need to go to Rotorua on the weekend. I didn't prepare much for this trip, I didn't look for any information about tourist attractions. So, when Gugi's family asked me to go to Skyline Gondola, I couldn't resist. I just thought that since they are living in Rotorua, they must know which tourist attractions are good and worth to go.
We had a nice yet late lunch on the summit, with strong wind outside the building. Here's some pictures that I could take during my visit. I was so tired on that time, so I couldn't take that much.
The second destination was Lake Rotorua, the biggest lake in Rotorua district. It was raining for a while before we got there. Thankfully even though it remained cloudy, the rain stop. We were taking a lot of pictures over there, teasing the birds, and wandering around. One of the reasons I love this country is their birds are so lovely to play along with. If we hold cookies in an open hand, they definitely will come to us. Yet, they will wait with curousity in their eyes, waiting until we spread the cookies to the air.
See, the birds waiting patiently and silently for the foods. By the way, it was my first time saw rainbow in this country, so adorable~!
I couldn't believe I would see black swans, the real black swans so easily playing along in the lake.
We're suddenly feeling so hungry, so we decided to go to the next destination and have our dinner before go back home.
It started around a month ago from a post on Facebook. The content of the post was looking for someone to help small batik workshop event in Rotorua in the end of September and I volunteered myself to participate. All the bus fare from Auckland to Rotorua was being paid, so I didn't need to pay for it and we're going to stay in Gugi's house during the weekend. The event was held on Saturday from the morning. Since it takes three hours by bus from Auckland to Rotorua, so me and my senior, Ita took a bus on Friday noon. Yet unfortunately, there were some accidents on the way there and it took longer until we reached Rotorua. However after five hours on the bus, we reached Rotorua safely and Gugi and Gifar (Gugi's brother) already there, in the bus stop to pick up us.
On Saturday morning we left their house to the event place, prepared everything, and held the event. Gratefully it went well. After the event, Gugi's parents brought us to take around the event place. Turns out there is a beautiful garden near. It's called Government Garden and there is also a museum that we can enter, where it's free for citizens.
The Government Garden and The Mueseum.
Unfortunately I forgot whose house is that.
It's spring, when the flowers bloom beautifully.
Me and my senior, Ita would stay until Sunday and since the day was still long, Gugi's family brought us to the next destination.
Welcome to Tiritiri Matangi, the open sanctuary, where no one lives there except the volunteer and the researcher, the place that we must bring back our rubbish, the place when wild birds live peacefully. I had no idea at all about this island before, until when I visited my friend's family and his mom talked about it. I googled later when I back and I felt so curious. Here's the website, the one that I found and makes me crave more to go there. Short story, I got the cheapest ticket to go there and after discussing with my friends, we decided to go there on Saturday.
We had no clue that the weather would change dramatically from lovely sunny day to super disaster windy day on that weekend. Yet, we must go there because we already booked everything. Then after almost two hours waving around in ocean with super duper strong wind, we got there safe and sound.
Welcome to Tiritiri Matangi.
The rules that we must obey.
The map, just for making sure about the direction. Even though, in the end we got lost in the middle somewhere and we found another map.
Some wild bird that I could photograph. Sorry for the blur.
Some of my friends.
Another wild bird.
I bet it will be more beautiful during a sunny day with a little bit windy. I hope someday in the future I can be back here to explore more and try another path, bring better lens so I can take more picture. Yet, I still thanked God, I could go there and went back home safely.
We just didn't want to go back home yet, and since the day was still long, we continued to explore the city.
We stopped the car, walking around, taking pictures, and adoring the nature.
Please let me know, is there any other parks provide dog litter bags like this?
Extremely amazing.
Hi there, enjoying lunch?
The weather was so nice during that day, the wind was not that strong.
Auckland Tower or Sky Tower and the view of auckland city.
How some Auckland people spend their sunday with their family in Silo park.
Some choose to play together with their friends.
And there was someone choose to sleep outdoor while waiting for the end of the day.
One of my friend asked me to accompany him guiding japanese junior high school students who were staying in his place for homestay around Auckland. We went to maritime museum, which it was my first time go to museum in this country. The museum is located near city center of Auckland and it's free for citizen of this country.
The Gate
My first blog since I moved to Auckland~! Oh yes, I moved from Japan to Auckland, not forget to mention that I went back to Indonesia, my country, before came to Auckland.
I know about Auckland Night Market firstly, from a poster that was posted in my lobby apartment. Unfortunately on that time I was busy with reading materials for the upcoming class, so I couldn't browse any information about it even though I really want to go there. Two or three weeks later, finally I had chance to come here!
Basically, they have the markets every Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday night, but in different places. Thursday market is being held in Onehunga, Friday market in Papatoetoe, Saturday market in Pakuranga and Hamilton, and Sunday night in Glenfield Northsore. More about the market: the website.
I went in Saturday night, which was located in Pakuranga. It was around 30 minutes by bus (number 770) from where I live, central city of Auckland. Since they mention on their website that they sell food as well, so I decided not to eat before went there and yes, it was right decision to do. They have a lot of foods from all around the world, with varieties price as well.
There are a lot of cute accessories being sold over there, be careful not to spend money too much girls~!
Mika, The Origin of Love Concert 2013
Skenoo Hall, Jakarta
