When you’re going on a summer holiday, you want to make the most of the great weather by exploring and being active outdoors. So what better place to go than Rotorua?
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With its geothermal wonders, beautiful landscapes and lakes, and a range of outdoor activities for adventure lovers, it’s no wonder that Rotorua is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand. If you’re thinking of spending your next summer holiday in Rotorua, you certainly won’t be short of things to do. All you need is a decent rental car, and you’re free to explore the whole region! Read on to find out about the many attractions Rotorua has to offer.
Explore the natural wonders
Scattered throughout Rotorua and the surrounding regions are many naturally occurring mud pools and hot springs. Or if you want to see geysers, colourful landscapes, crater lakes, silica terraces and flats, you can take a short drive from the Rotorua airport to see one of many nearby geothermal parks.
While you’re in Rotorua, make sure you try out one of the many thermal springs like Hells Gate Wai Ora and Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland which offer mud skin therapy and hot spring spas.
Enjoy the water activities
Rotorua’s many lakes are ideal for a range of water activities including fishing, boating, sailing, windsurfing, swimming, trout fishing and kayaking. Just make sure you have reliable transport like a rental car, so you don’t miss anything!
Try the extreme sports and adventure activities
In Rotorua you can take an extreme jet boat ride, go white water rafting, go skydiving with companies like Nzone or Viator. Explore the nearby Waitomo caves, go horse riding, or take part in many other extreme outdoor sports and activities. With so many outdoor activities available, there is no better place in New Zealand to spend the summer holidays!
You can also take plane or helicopter tours of the region, so you can see Mt Tarawera, the blue and green lakes, and the thermal geysers from a birds-eye view.
Experience Maori and New Zealand culture
If you’re interested in New Zealand and Maori culture, Rotorua is a great place to go. While you’re in the city, you can explore the rich history of the region. Visit the museum or historical landmarks including a real-life “buried village”, or enjoy one of the many Maori cultural shows and tours.
Rotorua and the surrounding region are well equipped to deal with travelers from near and overseas. You’ll never be short on things to do, and you will find plenty of information centres, helpful guides, and tourist facilities including great hotels, motels, tours!
Summer Holiday Attractions in Rotorua
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Rottnest Island is one of those places that everybody should visit, at least once. Placed some 18km off the coast of Perth, it is an Island that has fullness of history, mind blowing beaches and a whole lot to do. It is home to unique animals known as Quokka’s, which are found only in one other place in the world (in the mainland of Australia). They are basically a small wallaby, and they are incredibly tame and cute. Rottnest Island has some of the best beaches in the Western Australia, and even the world as a whole. If you are into fishing, snorkeling, surfing or just lazing on the beach Rottnest Island is for you.
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You can get to the island via ferry, plane or helicopter. The ferry is the most favorite choice (because its cheapest!) and there are a few associates that will take you there. Whether you want to just laze nearby on the beach all day long, or you want to explore the pristine waters and masses of fish, you are able to do so at your own pace. The island has no secret cars, meaning the only vehicle is via a circle route bus, or you can bike or walk. If you are feeling rich, you can even pay someone to ride you nearby the island in the back of a trike!
Accommodation varies from campsites right through to luxurious chalets right on the beach. The island is self contained, and even has its own set of wind turbines to generate power. There is a recycling station, sewage rehabilitation plant and an airstrip. You can visit Rottnest Island for a day trip, but if you settle to stay for a few nights you are able to book accommodation. Make sure you book in develop though; this place is seriously popular. I’d advise not going in between November 20 and December 10, as the school celebrations are on then and you will find the island is transformed into a place you’d rather not be!
I’ve had the privilege of going to Rottnest Island many times, and always enjoyed it. You can take your own boat to the island (check out the boating rules first) and a lot of people will stay on their boats for a weekend. If you are into fishing, spear fishing, snorkeling or Scuba diving it is heaven. Crayfish (and other maritime life) are abundant and there is always something to see. It’s time to add Rottnest Island to your pail list!
Spend a Day at Rottnest Island
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Jonker Street, Jonker Walk or Jalan Hang Jebat, you can pick your own choice of name to call this famous street in the heart of Melaka, Malaysia. Fondly called as Jonker Street, this narrow alley was once a wealthy street where rich colonial families lived while today, it evolved into antique collectors and bargain hunters’ paradise. It features unique antique pieces dating back to 17th century, handmade Chinese porcelain, decorative brass ware, cast iron beds, lamps, age old coins and genuine paper money that were used in early Melakan trade. You can also find priceless Buddha statues and one of its kind pieces made by locals from different Melakan eras.
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Shopkeepers offer great deals to buyers. Indeed, Jonker Street is the best place to hunt for unusual finds and center pieces. Among the noted antique dealers are Abdul Company which sells antique furniture, Chinese porcelain, brass ware, cast-iron beds, and lamps from all over Malaysia; pioneers T.K. Kutty and Hj Abu Bakar while second hand shops are found at Nos 25, 26 and 55. Within these shops, you can find antiques dating back as far as 300 years and some Victorian memorabilia.
Jonker Street is part of the old Chinatown of Melaka. This, aside from the fact that most of Jonker Street’s occupants are Chinese, appears to be the reason why this street is closely identified to Chinatown, some even mistakenly referred to this street with the latter. On the other hand, Jonker Walk is part of Jonker Street. This is the exact location of the Jonker Walk night market, a must-do when visiting Melaka.
While Jonker Street is known worldwide for its rare and priceless finds, by weekends around 6pm, the street is transformed into a busy, carnival like affair which tourists visiting Melaka eagerly looks forward to. The Jonker Walk night market is a weekly affair for locals where they assemble stalls and display products to sell. The usual wares you can find in this side of the street reflect their cultural heritage such as local and ethnic Melakan fare, indigenous handicrafts and souvenirs you can take home, ornamental jewelry and wooden clogs. Prices tend go higher for nonlocals but some stalls encourage bargaining. For bazaar type shopping spree, don’t miss Jonker Walk night market while in Melaka.
Another thing that made Jonker Street in Melaka famous is its food choices. This street is considered as the most popular food and entertainment district in Melaka, Malaysia. Here you can find extensive food options from different cultures. One must try Baba Nyonya delicacies to complete his journey through Melaka. Jonker Street is full of shops and cafes in daytime while food hawkers come at night. You can just imagine how busy Jonker Street is, anytime of the day. Wide variety of food and beverages are offered in Jonker Street. Ice cold desserts are among the famous ones which are highly recommended for hungry travelers.
Other must try food trips are Melaka’s signature food, the Chicken Rice Balls, Dim Sum, seaweeds, candied fruits, Put Chai Ko, Hongkong’s Curry fish balls, Nyonya’s pineapple tarts, fried radish cake, Popiah, bbq squid, fried carrot cake, Vadai and herbal eggs. This is only a portion of the food list which you should try while passing Jonker Street. Basically, Chicken Rice Balls are balled rice, served with sweet chili sauce and steamed chicken meat. One picky palate could never go wrong here.
If you crave for some nightlife, Jonker Street offers karaoke nights where entrance is free and you can sing your heart’s out in whatever dialect you like best. Available dialects are English, Mandarin, Hokkien and Hakka.
Although Jonker Street made some improvements in their way of life and adapted to some modern methods, it never lost its cultural charm and tradition. This, in fact, is very visible with their buildings, houses and shops that were constructed with elaborate carvings and pillars reflecting culture and heritage of Melaka, Malaysia.
Copyright (c) 2009 Nowal Khan
Jonker Street – The Street With Many Names
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