Sharing a room with 12 strangers is the way to go.

As i said last post, writing this on my phone.  Little harder to do things so bare with me.

Google is super useful.  I arrived in Rotorua with a very minor plan.  Mostly find a place to sleep.  I may be " homeless " but I can at least have that much.  There were multiple hostels to select from. Ended up at Rotorua Downtown Backpackers.  It holds about 60 people.  There are two large groups of French students and I've been talking to a few of the more long term travelers, they are from Britain, Holland, South America, and other places I haven't learned yet. Been learning a lot, especially what I should do. Room I ended up in had six bunk beds.  I haven't slept in a top bunk since my cousin's house like a decade ago.

I arrive Sunday evening and spent the evening looking into the area.  Monday I went for a hike to the Redwood Treewalk. Though you can bus There, it was a 7 km walk.  Following the sulphur point trail this is the sign that greets you.

Little ominous, especially with the multiple hydrogen sulphide warnings around.  Got to live the smell of rotten eggs, but at least it means you won't die. 

The walk was nice, part of a large bird refuge.  The redwood park is a huge forest covered in  walking paths, horse riding paths, and mountain biking paths.  It's mostly redwood trees they imported from California which are between 50 and 70 m tall. 

The treewalk itself is a short circuit through the trees at about 12 m up.   The circuit includes plaques which include information about the forestry industry of the island and some very wobbly bridges.  All in all a good day with an 18 km hike. 

An artist built light fixtures that are hung around the circuit.  In the future may do the moonlight walk. 

 On my way back, bought some groceries to cook in the community kitchen and talked with people. 

Tuesday I decided to go to the redwoods and follow one of the trails people suggested.  It climbed one of the hills and had a few overlooks of the town and forest.  Meet a random guy who was on his lunch break taking a hike.  Great first impression: red faced, sweating profusely, and out of breath.  We talked about his job in the forestry industry and he pointed out some of the features in town including a geyser which erupts every hour or so.  

Hike was a little longer than I expected, about 23 km in total. That evening, meet a few more people that returned to the hostel from trips around the country.  Ended up watching a rugby documentary with them featuring the kids of one of the permanent staff at the hostel. 

Today ( Wednesday) I went a little more low-key.  Walked around town and alone the shore of the lake.  This included mud pools and springs.  There are a few Maori locations. Will looking into visiting then in the future. 

On another note, I received my IRD number and can now work.  Looking at doing so we seasonal work since I've been unemployed for a few months and feel a little stir crazy.  Will probably work for a few weeks before traveling again.  Still looking into more permanent jobs but will see what happens.