Rotorua - Smelly City

Today we finally, finally continued to Rotorua. Of course, there were complications again in finding the Stray bus stop, but in the end everything worked out.

On the way to Rotorua we stopped at the Okere Falls, which are famous for white water rafting. But unless you're sitting in a rubber boat, the waterfall isn't exactly impressive. Nevertheless, we all took a photo.

And then we arrived in Rotorua.
Rotorua - the 'Smelly City'

If you've ever been near geothermal areas, you know that characteristic smell of rotten eggs. Sulphur, you know. And that smell lingers throughout the city. In some neighborhoods it's worse than in others, and when a fresh breeze blows, a new wave of sulphur comes your way. So, don't imagine that everyone in Rotorua is gagging and walking the streets with a tissue over their nose, it's not that bad. But still, this smell is always present.
Now I've described the olfactory impression for a whole article, but what was there to see?
The city itself didn't seem to have much to offer at first glance. Just normal streets with shops, perhaps the smell gave a hint of the treasures hidden here.
Luckily, my host in Rotorua brought me a mountain bike, so I could explore the city by bike.
Following his recommendation, I first went to Kuirau Park. What started as a green space with a few ponds turned out to be a full-fledged thermal field further back. Initially, I was still totally excited about the warm pools, but then I saw the actual hot pools and mud pools and was amazed. There's a park with hot springs right in the city. How awesome is that?
I was particularly impressed by Lake Kuirau, the misty fields above the colored water looked so surreal and mystical.
After the park, I cycled along the shore of Lake Rotorua and had a great view of an Anglican church in the middle of the Maori neighborhood. And there I saw it: hot steam rising from sewer drains and hot, bubbling springs in front yards. The whole city is built on one giant thermal field!
In the evening, I met Chiara at the Night Market. Every Thursday, a street is closed off from 5pm and there are many street food vans offering international delicacies. I was almost tempted by the pretzels, I must admit. But like any street food, the prices were naturally high...
Afterwards, my host picked me up, but we didn't go to a house. First of all, there's no normal house or apartment - he sleeps in a large converted van, somewhere in the middle of nowhere. But I won't even get to see it yet, because he has to work until 2:20am - night shift.
That's why I'm sitting here in the passenger seat of his truck in front of a sawmill and writing this blog. We're spending the night here in the parking lot, and tomorrow we'll drive to his van-house. I just ate 2 cans of beans and now I'm going to dive into the internet. There's not much else I can do here, hopefully I won't need to go to the bathroom too often. Because then I have to go into the woods in front of the sawmill.
Well, whoever seeks adventure...
Unfortunately, I've had terrible headaches all day, it's really not funny. If it doesn't get better tomorrow, I'm worried that these sulphur fumes aren't good for me. Or maybe I've gotten too much sun again (I've forgotten the sunscreen again, mea culpa).
I'll report tomorrow on how the night was and what other geothermal wonders I've encountered!