Finding the Perfect Back Massage— In New Zealand -
What is New Zealand famous for? First things that come to mind are Kiwi fruit, lamb, Sauvignon Blanc white wine and their Rugby Team - The All Blacks.
But it is also possible to get an awesome massage there…if you are willing to pay the price…both in terms of dollars and just getting there. NZ is not the most remote country in the world…not by a long shot… but it may be the most remote English speaking, highly developed country. Depending upon your point of debarkation, it certainly can take more than 24 hours to arrive at its lush hilly land that looks very much like part of America’s New England in spring.
Our objective are the sulphur springs of Rotorua, a 3.5 hour drive to the south.
Getting to New Zealand is not difficult. You should know that there are two islands (North and South) and in this article we have focused on the north island where the commercial and artistic centre is (Auckland) as well as the political centre (Wellington). Most international flights land at Auckland which looks like every other airport with long queues for bags and immigration clerks who check you through with nary a smile or a “good day.”
From India it is a very long flight with options ranging from 20-30 hours and at least one stop and a change of aircraft. It is a good idea to try to avoid changing air carriers as luggage cannot read the departure board and often goes astray.Air tickets are expensive with a base price of at least 100,000INR.
Most travelling such great distances will combine a visit to NZ with a stop in Australia, especially Sydney which is only a little more than three hours away. In fact, it takes longer to fly from Sydney to Perth in Western Australia than it does to Auckland.
Important Visa information:
Do you need a New Zealand Visa or permit if you come from India?All Indian Passport holders require a New Zealand Visa to enter New Zealand.
The New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi deals with all New Zealand Visas for migration, visitors, work, student visas. There are also offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Cochin, Ahmedabad, and Kolkatta. The offices are run by a company called T.T Services who are contracted to NZIS to do the Visa paperwork. All New Zealand Visa applications need to be sent to T.T Services Offices who will then forward them onto the High Commission for processing.
New Zealand Visa Form can be downloaded from the Immigration New Zealand website.
You can calculate your New Zealand Visa Fees also from the Immigration New Zealand website.
Visit here For the locations of T.T Services New Zealand Visa Application Centers in India.
Unless you have pre booked a tour, you need to rent a car. It is possible to take public transport as there are bus lines that go from city to city (www.intercity.co.nz). However, your time is probably limited so you will find it practical to hire a car. There are many car rental companies both at the airport and in the city. Your best bet is to book through a consolidator on the web for the best pricing; either through an India site or www.zuji.com.au.
Note you must be over 25 and have a credit card to rent a car normally. Getting there by road is slightly complicated and of course will vary by where you are coming from. The best bet is to get detailed driving directions from www.googlemaps.com.
Or you may even find it helpful to rent a GPS. Most car agencies will add an additional $10.00 to the daily fee. As there are very few motorways, typed instructions from Google to get point A to point B can be many pages, it is therefore highly recommended that you go the hired GPS route.
The New Zealand summer (December-February) is very mild and the best time to go. Of course that coincides with school holidays in Australia and the winters in England so you will find many Brits and Aussies as your travel companions.
There are many B&B’s and hotels in the area at all price ranges. Figure a minimum of $75 per room (single or double) to a high of perhaps $200. Generally, you get what you pay for. You can get a range of accommodations and prices from www.tripadvisor.com which will provide you with rankings and reader recommendations. Another web site to check out is www.rotoruanz.com/accommodation for touring hints and a list of accommodations. There is also a tourist office website at: www.rotoruanz.com.
The office is in the centre of town at:
1167 Fenton Street , Rotorua, 64 (07) 348 5179
We stayed at a fabulous hotel called The Regent of Rotorua. It is a charming and fantastic boutique hotel in heart of Rotorua. From the outside it looks like every roadside motel in Los Angeles. But the inside is amazing. It has more comforts than home including a “monsoon” shower. Darryn Whitehead is the owner and he is always at the front desk (some days from 3:45am) and he is a very gracious host. He will greet you like a long lost cousin and will do anything to make your stay perfect. The on site restaurant does gourmet breakfasts and totally wonderful food for dinner. Figure on $200NZD for a room including GST but not breakfast.
Another added bonus is that it is within a five minute walk of the centre of Rotorua with restaurants and pubs nearby.
Contact details are:
Darryn Whitehead
Regent of Rotorua
1191 Pukaki Street
Rotorua, 3010 New Zealand
Land Line +64 (0)7 348 4079
info@regentrotorua.co.nz
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Above is the owner Darryn Whitehead in front of the Regent
The principal reason to go to Rotorua is the healing sulphur waters but more on that later.
The number one tourist site is a natural geyser, Wai-O-Tapu, which erupts forth at 10:15am every day. If you might be wondering how nature can be regulated by clockwork, there is a secret. The thermal waters are contained by a layer of cool water on top. A park ranger drops a chemical into the top of the geyser which breaks down the cool water so the hot water beneath can explode to the surface. The water gushes up about 20 meters and is quite spectacular.
There are also a number of walks that can be taken on site which takes you through a Star Trek landscape of sulphur pools and smoking geysers. There is an admission charge but this is highly recommended as it is doubtful that you have seen anything like this before. The website is: www.waiotapu.co.nz.
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Above is Wai-O-Tapu erupting some 20 meters into the sky in its 10:15am show
Another must see for history addicts is the Rotorua Museum which is more or less in the centre of town. The Museum (admission charge) is housed in the original Bath House which opened in 1908 and was designed along the lines of European spas. Guided tours which are free and are really necessary to understand the workings of the old bath house are a necessity. The tour guide introduces you to all of the colourful characters (both owner and guests) of the early 1900’s and allows to understand why even then (without the speed of jets) guests came from all over the world to experience the curative treatments and medicinal waters.
Also on display are a number of sculptures by noted Australian artist Charles Francis Summers. These works of art, all made from Carrara marble (the same type used by Michelangelo) and once graced the winding spiral staircase in the lobby. He is also noted for being the only artist ever (because of his close relationship with the Pope at the time) to be given permission to take plaster casts of various statues in the Vatican which he used as models for his own work.
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In front of the Rotorua Museum, at one time the original bath house
Below is the Summers work, Eve. Eve is portrayed with an apple in her hand. Originally placed in the centre of the foyer, she still dominates the house. The bas relief panels on the pedestal depict Adam and Eve and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.
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Below is one of the original “bathtubs” used to “take the cure.” You will note that it is very different from photos you will see shortly of a more modern spa.
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Key contact details are:
Rotorua Museum
Queen’s Drive
64 (0) 7 350 1814
www.rotorua museum.co.nz
The real reason to go to Rotorua is to go to one of the many spas which offer you an opportunity of a relaxing in geothermal waters. The most luxurious is the Polynesian Spa -- Lakeside, Hinemoa Street, 64 (0) 7 348 1328, www.polynesianspa.co.nz
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Set among native plants, this haven offers an array of relaxing therapies including hot stone massage, and hydro therapies where jets of warm water with fragrant oils added bathe your body.
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All of the restaurants are located on either Tutanekai or Pukaki Street. But they are expensive. Be prepared to pay at least $25.00 for an average main dish.
Usually you can bring your own wine (called BYO and pay just a small bottle charge at the restaurant). Wine is available from the wine shop on Tutankai. A decent bottle would be close to $20.
An interesting dinner option is:
Triple1-5
1115 Tutanekai Street
07 347 1115
Their approach to cooking meat is to have you do it yourself on hot stones at your table. Therefore, everyone is a Masterchef and cooks the meat to perfection.
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Another fine place for Italian food is Nuvolari (1122 Tutanekan, 07 348 1122, www.nuvolari.co.nz). Especially note worthy is their $10 lunches which are the bargain of the city. Also note that many other restaurants have bargain lunchs which are posted on boards outside the front door.
There are three Indian restaurants if you are homesick for Mom’s cooking:
Indian Star
1118 Tutanekai
07 343 6222
Lovely India
1123 Tutanekai
07 348 4088
Tandori Palace
Corner Arawa Street and Tutanekai
07 348 8122
Rotorua is expensive. The only bargain is the lunch specials. Nothing is free. There are two supermarkets on the outskirts of town (Countdown and Pak N Save) – both on Fenton Street -- where food and wine would be much cheaper than at restaurants.
Happy terrainspotting!
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2 Comment
Thanks for your comment Alice...have not been to Wellington but next on the list of places to go.
Glad to see you enjoyed your visit to Rotorua. It's my most favourite place in the world , (I'm completely biased of course!). The thermal hot water is a special treat! But I'm also keen on Wellington too having spent a decade living there. Any plans to go to Wellington too?