A tourist at home

I have been playing tourist in New Zealand for the last few weeks while my parents have been here from Canada, hence the sparceness of blog posts, but it's been really interesting seeing this place from a tourist perspective again. Whilst I work for New Zealand's biggest company, the biggest industry in New Zealand is still tourism and it has been a while since I've been exposed to that side of the country.  Winning the Rugby has been an added bonus (nail biting as the final was!) and even all the Ozzies we saw on the way seemed to be in good spirits, despite not making it through to the finals.  Our tourist adventures really only covered Rotorua and Taupo and the greater Auckland area, but that was just right this time around.   

I haven't been to Rotorua since the last time I had overseas visitors, and it's as smelly and fascinating as ever.  The first taste of NZ hospitality was at the Book a Bach place we stayed at called Eagle Retreat.  It was amazing!  Hardly a Bach and if you are ever in Rotorua, and there is a group of you, this needs to be at the top of your list.  It was really modern, well appointed, had a stunning view right up the hill from the thermal area, and get this, she baked a carrot cake for my Sister's birthday!  Now that's kiwi hospitality.  Check out the link if you're ever in the smelly capital. 

http://www.bookabach.co.nz/baches-and-holiday-homes/view/13292/locale/rotorua-township 

Here's what kiwi hospitality looks like:



My favourite thermal area is still Orakei Korako, which is 1/2 way (or maybe a bit more) to Taupo, down a back road, and well enough off the beaten track to still feel a little more authentic, and it is truly spectacular.  A small ferry ride over the lake and you are in thermal wonderland.  The toilet signs were being upgraded but the owner assured us the 'guysers' and 'galsers' signs we remember from about 15 years ago were going back up shortly!

We had a great time in 'Rotavegas' and you can't go wrong as far as showcasing NZ, though I was a bit surprised at the food prices which are more expensive than Auckland.  Mind you, the facilities at our 'bach' were so good we didn't really eat out much anyways and plenty of card playing took place!

As for Auckland, these are my favourite places to take people from out of town:

Takapuna Beach Cafe with a nice walk on the beach afterwards.

The gannet colony out at Muriwai Beach

Here's a great sign we saw at the Matakana markets.  We also went out to goat island reserve but the heavens opened for a decent shower, so we went for lunch at the Sawmill Cafe in Leigh for lunch instead!  It was just heaving and good as I remember from the last time I was there.    

Sky tower for lunch is always a hit,

and my favourite place to hang out, with or without tourists, is North Head on the shore.  It's such a great place to watch the world go by and also makes me appreciate Auckland for all its splendor. 

Well, my parents are now safely back in Canada and I am going to get back to life as usual, but it really has been neat to see this place from a different perspective.  I've been in NZ for about half my life (no, I am not going to reveal how long that is!) so it is my home, but like every place, you get used to it and every once in a while it is worth stepping back and having a look at it from an outsiders perspective.  I am looking forward to summer in Auckland even more so - it's a great place to be.