From the Whakarewarewa geothermal area we drove to Rotorua, having briefly stopped at the Rotorua Museum (closed) so as to admire the magnificent Elizabethean Tudor-style building and the Government Gardens comprising croket and bowling greens located right in front of it. The building itself was stunning. North of it there was a sculpture that drew people's attention almost immediately, representing the 1927 Arawa soldiers and symbolizing the history of contact between Pakehaand local tribes.
One of the greens was being used by a number of bowling players, who seemed clearly enthusiastic. I went across the street to look at the 1930 Spanish-style building housing heated pools, which is said to have offered the then-novel attraction of mixed bathing in the past.
We dropped off the luggage at one of the local Youth hostels, where we would be lodged, having had time to stroll around the rather interesting city, where relaxation seemed to be the "word". We soon realised that most shops closed fairly early in New Zealand (between 4h30 and 5h00) with very few being open (mainly those owned by Japanese and Indians).
I was once more surprised at the quality of the local hostels, as well as their facilities, as we had our first "hostel-in" meal entirely prepared by our guide, which was very good. Each of us took care of the washing up, which ended up being the easiest part of the meal.
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