Sunday, January 10, 2016

Rotorua and Auckland Winter Garden

Rotorua is a city on the Northern Island of NZ that is the epicenter for the Maori culture.  We were lucky to be given a personal tour of the town by a former colleagues of mine who returned to their home there.  They were very welcoming and we saw a beautiful redwood forest (really wanted to break out in song with the "This Land is Your Land" but I restrained myself, it was so very peaceful), the thermal waters/springs/mud holes that Rotorua is so famous for, a great museum explaining both the geological phenomena that is Rotorua and also many things about the Maori culture, including a very interesting exhibit of portraits of the women's facial tattoos.  Some PICS HERE

Before leaving beautiful New Zealand we spent a day in Auckland, and one stop that provided a visual feast was the Winter Garden, although it was the beginning of summer and everything seemed to be pretty much in bloom.  I can only imagine that because there are several hot houses these plants are on display in the winter as well.  Lucky them.  It was so uplifting to see so much green and growth and color.  Pictures HERE.

1 comment:

  1. What incredible color and variety of flora.

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