Waikite Valley Hot Pools

Betsy said the hot pools would be fun even in the rain, so we saved visiting for the day the weather was supposed to be crumby. Of course it was a beautiful day with clear skies most of the time.

First we had to stop at the Op (opportunity) Shop where Ursala volunteers each week to look for stretchies (onesies) that Betsy could buy and bring to her Red Cross group. They make gift bags for new mothers, and baby clothes are always in demand. I tried on a printed cotton robe for NZ$5, but it just didn’t hang right. I considered 2 Māori woven bags, each NZ$2, but again, just not quite something I needed. Add them to my “near miss” list. Then onto the Warehouse, where she bought a top and shorts to use as a bathing suit. I found 2 Aotearoa team shirts, one a tank top, the other a tee, each NZ$25, as gifts, likely uber-sports-fan son.

On to the hot pools, which were built in 1972 by locals. We changed into our bathing suits, put our valuables in a locker, and plunged slowly into the lowest, and yet quite hot pool, the Pergola. Very relaxing. The water is full of silica and felt slippery to me. We stayed for a while, then decided to try the next pool.

The wind was cold when we hustled to the warmer Garden Pool. The pools had water running in on side then overflow to the next one. Infinity pools before they became trendy. It did rain for just a bit, so we had the full experience of being in the hot water while cold rain hit our face. We weren’t permitted to put our heads underwater because of possible infection.

Although the water is 99°Celsius at the spring where it comes from the ground, by exposure to the cold air, it drops in temperature as it runs from pool to pool. That meant the top pool, the Soak Pool, was dang hot, too hot for me. I went over to the swimming pool shaped Settlers Pool to cool off. 

After an hour or so of soaking, I was so relaxed, I could barely walk. But we did, up the trail to see the Te Manaroa Spring where the water bubbles out of the hillside.

We stopped at the cafe for a bite. I tried a ginger slice, a shortbread bottom layer with cocoanut and ginger topped with a thick almost-fudge ginger frosting. Heavenly. So rich I saved half for later.

After a short rest back at our house, Keith, Grant and I took a walk along Lake Rotarua. Originally the lots were deep, narrow 1/4 acre lots with 1 or 2 bedroom “batches”. A few are left. Some, like our rental, have been expanded with bigger kitchens and bathrooms. Others have been replaced with bigger homes. And one moot was donated to the Ronald McDonald Foundation and has a lovely large building for families of children in the local hospital. 

We ate in downtown at Eat Street. An Italian NZ fusion with fireplaces next to tables. 

Steps today: 7,980