The Ultimate New Zealand Travel Guide with
Rotorua - Zorbing
Well this was different! Awoke very early before daylight and walked the short distance to the showers. After a relaxing shower and cleanup I greeted David as he came in and headed back to the camper van to get out the coffee pot on and have some breakfast. Turns out David had already put the jug on and had filled the coffee pot so I immediately poured a cup and began my day.
Our plans for the day were quite busy trying to get in a few highlights of the geo-thermal areas and the Maori cultural center of New Zealand so I could introduce you to them. There are many other exciting activities that we would like to show you here in this area such as the Zorb.
First thing when it got light enough for filming (by the way we are doing both photographs and videos) off we went pointing the campervan in the direction of the Zorb Park........so what's a zorb? Think of a large transparent golf ball large enough to hold several people inside. Fix up a variety of tracks down the side of a hill and then let this plastic globe with people inside roll down. One way is with a seat inside where the person is strapped in and the other way rolling around in heated water.
When we got there the weather was fairly okay. Met with Kyle, the enthusiastic manager, and a staff of very competent folks who it seemed their only desire in life was to make sure you had the most fun you have ever had.
To start the morning off the park already had Mikal a young fellow from the Czech Republic getting ready to roll down the hill. We sat up the filming equipment immediately and caught his first zorb. David was itching to give it a go so while he was getting prepared for his first zorb Kyle asked Mikal if he wanted to do more for the camera. You can guess his response so I was kept busy with the two of them trying out all the various types of downhill contortions. David became quite enamoured with the process. His comment was, “There are times the actual event is greater than the expectations.” Strange watching a person come out of the opening with water pouring with them. I thought of a birth right away.
After exhausting both of them we gave the hill over to a group who just showed up and the beginning of th first Rotorua activity was over. Tons of laughs and fun for all involved including the staff and no I was not about to go rolling down the hill in a giant plastic golf ball..........!
Saying goodbye feeling we had just made a host of wonderful new friends we pointed the van just along the road to the Agrodome where you can get a real introduction to the rural world of New Zealand the basis of their economy really. I remember the introduction in 1989 to Agrodome and as an old Ohio farm boy was most impressed with New Zealand sheep, the sheep dogs and the sheep shearers. A world I had never seen before and really enjoyed. I certainly wasn't aware there were so many variations and types of sheep. The information you receive really gives you an understanding when you cruise the camper van through miles and miles of rolling hills covered with grazing sheep. I highly recommend taking the time to visit the Agrodome especially if you have the children with you.
(to be continued)
back to the blog beginning for the next installment
Well this was different! Awoke very early before daylight and walked the short distance to the showers. After a relaxing shower and cleanup I greeted David as he came in and headed back to the camper van to get out the coffee pot on and have some breakfast. Turns out David had already put the jug on and had filled the coffee pot so I immediately poured a cup and began my day.
Our plans for the day were quite busy trying to get in a few highlights of the geo-thermal areas and the Maori cultural center of New Zealand so I could introduce you to them. There are many other exciting activities that we would like to show you here in this area such as the Zorb.
First thing when it got light enough for filming (by the way we are doing both photographs and videos) off we went pointing the campervan in the direction of the Zorb Park........so what's a zorb? Think of a large transparent golf ball large enough to hold several people inside. Fix up a variety of tracks down the side of a hill and then let this plastic globe with people inside roll down. One way is with a seat inside where the person is strapped in and the other way rolling around in heated water.
When we got there the weather was fairly okay. Met with Kyle, the enthusiastic manager, and a staff of very competent folks who it seemed their only desire in life was to make sure you had the most fun you have ever had.
To start the morning off the park already had Mikal a young fellow from the Czech Republic getting ready to roll down the hill. We sat up the filming equipment immediately and caught his first zorb. David was itching to give it a go so while he was getting prepared for his first zorb Kyle asked Mikal if he wanted to do more for the camera. You can guess his response so I was kept busy with the two of them trying out all the various types of downhill contortions. David became quite enamoured with the process. His comment was, “There are times the actual event is greater than the expectations.” Strange watching a person come out of the opening with water pouring with them. I thought of a birth right away.
After exhausting both of them we gave the hill over to a group who just showed up and the beginning of th first Rotorua activity was over. Tons of laughs and fun for all involved including the staff and no I was not about to go rolling down the hill in a giant plastic golf ball..........!
Saying goodbye feeling we had just made a host of wonderful new friends we pointed the van just along the road to the Agrodome where you can get a real introduction to the rural world of New Zealand the basis of their economy really. I remember the introduction in 1989 to Agrodome and as an old Ohio farm boy was most impressed with New Zealand sheep, the sheep dogs and the sheep shearers. A world I had never seen before and really enjoyed. I certainly wasn't aware there were so many variations and types of sheep. The information you receive really gives you an understanding when you cruise the camper van through miles and miles of rolling hills covered with grazing sheep. I highly recommend taking the time to visit the Agrodome especially if you have the children with you.
(to be continued)
back to the blog beginning for the next installment
