So I made it to Rotorua this evening. Of course since it was 5 pm the sun was already down but w/e.

I left my flat this morning at 8 AM after a little packing and some rolled oats for breakfast. With milk it kinda turned into a glue like substance and I would have preferred my normal breakfast of eggs and toats (and bacon if availiable) but I was out, so meh. I caught the first Go Wellington bus from across the street near the local dairy where I consistently pay too much for Milk.

Luckily the bus wasn’t too crowded and I made my way to the back bench seat and set down my backpack and my food bag. I really love the electric buses they have in Wellington and the 2 bus (to Mirarmar via Haitaitai) is always electrified. We rode through the city east enough and I made my way to the train station.

The bus pulled up on time and I took my normal seat, about 5 rows back on the right (facing forward) window seat of course. Luckily the bus wasn’t crowded so everyone got their own seat. I stayed awake as we picked up people from Wellington’s suburbs including Johnsonville, Porirua, and Paraparaumu. It was a different perspective from the train mode which I entered the town.

Soon after I tried sleeping and was quite successful. We stopped for our morning break and everything went fine. I had an egg salad sandwhich and meat pie. There were some sheep. I took pictures

We then continued on towards Taupo with me waking up for the occasional stop to let someone on or pick someone off. About 30 mins outside of Taupo it started raining. In Taupo I had a 40 min stopover and went and got bread and apples,etc. I then walked around and did some quick window shopping.

The bus northward with a Final Destination of Taranga only had 4 people on it. I sat in front and talked with the driver the whole time. The drive was neat as in this area the hot springs and volcanic activity leak steam randomly so in fields and near streams there was lots of steam. And we passed a 100% geothermal power plant, the first in the world. So that was cool.

I got into Rotorua, took a pee and then went to my Hostel. Checkin went well although I paid again and I think I might have already paid. Gonna have to check on that.

The place seems nice enough but I have realised when travelling for short periods of time I prefer quiet places that don’t try too hard. They reception seemed nice enough but I’m not big on it being over the top social. I guess that is bad of me, but I only have so much social energy.

The room is nice enough albeit a little small and is clean. I went exploring the town and will continue once I finish this and then will go back and cook some Pasta. I haven’t yet heard if my trip tommorrow has been cancelled or not due to the weather. Fingers Crossed.

Anywho more to come later as when travelling in the NZ winter (read constant rain) I will have lots of time to write.

Peace,

-Mathias

Ohhh right this is my 21 day countdown to home!