It was time to plan places to explore en route back up to Matamata for work, it is very easy to find places of interest in New Zealand on a road trip, the trickier part is being selective about the ones you have time to see. In a change to my normal approach, I thought I would see a couple of tourist hotspots, rather than discover the lesser well known areas, first stop was Huka Falls. The Huka Falls are a set of waterfalls on the Waikato River that drains Lake Taupo. A popular favourite with Instagrammers, I soon joined the club. I decided a good 20 minutes enduring the raw power of the falls and luscious teal tones of the water was enough. A tip off from Roman led me further north to Rotorua, now this was a return trip of course but this time there were more geothermal pools of colour to see – something I’d missed out on last time. I visited an area called Wai O Tapu ‘Thermal Wonderland’ unlucky for me I couldn’t read the sign without singing it to the tune of ‘Boogie Wonderland’, which made it lose it’s sacred energy somewhat đ 
This was a really enjoyable experience, although obviously a tourist site, after entering I could roam free, escape the crowds and get a really decent walk in. What a stunner! With areas such as the ‘artist’s palette’ so called because of the spectrum of colours seen in small blobs, so unnatural looking but pure nature doing it’s best to show off. It was a super hot day as well so I felt as though I’d been thrown in a boiling pot of water, a really surreal experience. Looking down over the large expanse of blue and green pools the surrounding trees had grown accustomed to the environment and framed the water with their claw like branches and luminous leaves, they looked like a miniature creation from the Weta Workshop. One of the main things I really enjoy about New Zealand is the diverse landscape, it really has it all (and I haven’t even ventured south yet). Just on this thermal site I experienced intense colour, heat, forest walks, dramatic light and not forgetting the smell (how does anybody get used to that…it must like, get into your system or something).
Afterwards I had another Air BnB stay in Rotorua in a lovely home, they gave me beer on arrival, which is always most excellent. I decided to head for Te Aroha to stay for the week prior to work starting, on the same holiday park as before- in a caravan. It was a bit far out from Hobbiton but offered great views and importantly solace- time to get some headspace and to continue with a series of drawings I began in Napier. I quickly befriended a guy on reception called Luke who as it turns out, is also from Southampton(!) On a working holiday too, we had lots to talk about a shared a beer or two most nights. It was a really good balance being able to actually be creative and then unwind with new friends, it seems silly but I really haven’t done a lot of drinking since being away, I can only put this down to not settling somewhere long enough, or maybe it’s a comfort thing, who knows, but it is out of character. 
It didn’t take long before work started and most of my free time I started to spend with Luke. He is very easy company with similar interests in music, creativity and gaming and I am sure we will be very good friends when we get back home too. All really positive. I spent a day climbing the nearby Wairere Falls track, the weather was pretty crazy with rain but it gave the area a completely different and almost eerie feel. Huge rocks had gathered an excellent green moss and made for a great climb. Water trickled down the imposing rock walls and an artist had been hard at work creating balance art with various sized rocks on the waters edge. Upon reaching the summit I was nearly lifted by the shear power of the falls. I couldn’t see much amongst the mist and rain but overall the trek was thoroughly rewarding and reminded me of my weeks I would spend in Dartmoor painting in any weather…
Soundtrack: The Cure – From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea, Type O Negative – Love You To Death
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