Relaxing Rotorua

Rotorua is the second city in New Zealand (not counting Wellington, which is slowly becoming like a second home!) that I visited this year. Located at the heart of the North Island, Rotorua impressed me with its very relaxing and close-to-nature ambience.

I went by a seven-hour bus ride up north. On a beautiful sunny day, just like what I had when I went, that road trip was pretty fast. I was even given a treat to a scenic view of the snowcapped Mt. Ruapehu:


Mt. Ruapehu: Cool blend of green, white and blue!

The bus arrived at the Rotorua Tourism Center, which I would say is a wonderful gateway to the city. It gives you an impression of a laid-back, peaceful territory and that you're supposed to leave all your tensions and stresses right there and now. The tourism center used to be the Old Post Office. Connected to it is a memorial town clock erected in honor of the longest-serving prime minister of New Zealand, Richard Seddon.


Rotorua Tourism Center: Beautiful even in gray skies.

Not far from this place is another building that truly made me feel I am in a different place and time. At first glance, I knew it was an old government building. Turns out, I am becoming good at identifying historic spaces here in New Zealand. It used to be the Old Bath House building within the Government Gardens before it was turned into the city's museum.


Just arrived: I could really make use of the old baths here, really.

The name Rotorua is actually a Maori word. Roto means "lake" and Rua means "two." It was the second major lake the Maori chief Ihenga discovered. Since the 1800s, Rotorua has been groomed as the "spa capital" of the country. Fair enough, they have heaps of hot pools around due to the geothermal activity of the city. Lake Rotorua, which is the second largest lake in the North Island, was formed from the crater of a large volcano.

"Rotten-rua": This is one the volcanic vents that you can see
(AND SMELL!) around the city.

Speaking of lakes, Rotorua is known for having some of the most captivating lakes in New Zealand. And I had the grandest chance to check out two of those! So that's really roto-rua! The first one is called Lake Okareka, which means "the lake of sweet food." In early times, Maoris grew sweet potatoes (kumara) around the lake. It is now a residential area and I happened to be lodged in one of the houses around that beautiful body of water!


Lake Okareka: Sweet Kiwi dip!

Again, not so far from Lake Okareka is another breathtaking but bigger lake. Known for its striking color, especially on a bright sunny day, Lake Tikitapu is also known as Blue Lake. The Maori name comes from a story in older times wherein a daughter of a high-born chief was bathing in this lake and was wearing the Tikitapu (or the sacred greenstone neck ornament). The young woman happened to lose her precious stone in the blue waters of the lake. That tikitapu is believed to be still in the Blue Lake.

Blue Lake: Looks like deep blue sea!
(Photo by Karlo Camacho, from his Facebook account)

Today, Blue Lake is a preferred recreation and retreat center. It has benches around it, a playground for kids, a grill for barbecue, and fancy lodges. Some go for a swim and do other water activities such as kayaking.

Gray Lake?? (photo by Argie Reyes, from his Facebook account)

On my way back to Wellington, I rode with a very loud and happy bunch of Filipinos. It was another six hours of beautiful and soothing scenery with original Pinoy music (OPM) playing on the background. My mind was brought back to the hustle and bustle of my home city in the Philippines. I imagined tall buildings, crowded streets, jam-packed jeepneys, smog, and the other inconveniences of a 'developing country.' If only I could take these 'privileges' with me so my fellow Filipinos can enjoy it too. But for the mean time, I quietly sat at the passenger seat, thankful and content, thinking about my next destination.

Sources:
On Lakes: http://www.rotoruanz.com/
On Rotorua Tourism Center: http://www.treklens.com/gallery/photo504480.htm

Looking at the Father's Heart from a Young Daughter's Eyes

I just really need to post this lovely poem written by a young girl during the recent Father's Day celebration here in Wellington.

For one, this poem was really well-written, considering her age. Her choice of words, her candor, her innocence, and her simplicity is refreshing. There are times when we have so much knowledge and that we are filled with so much complexities in life from the things that we read in the Internet, the newspaper, and for my case, academic journals (!!!!). And we translate that to our relationship with God, our parents, and the people around us.

So, I was thankful to hear her poem as she read it onstage during the Father's Day celebration in church. It was sweet to look into the father-heart of God through the eyes of this daughter-child.

Second, I started writing poems and letters when I was her age. And my passion for writing was pushed because someone encouraged me to write more.

So, I am putting this up here on my site so that not only Shannan, but young girls out there might be filled with courage to keep on writing. You just never know how many people you could touch and bless with your work - just as Shannan's simple poem did to me.

The Best Dad in the Universe

by Shannan Joseph


The best dad in the universe
He loves me
He cares for me
He comforts me

You are the Key
For every door of love for me
This great dad
This great father
Is the Lord
No other dad I’d rather

(I’m not saying that my dad isn’t helpful and kind
I’m not saying he hasn’t got a good mind
I’m just saying God is the best
Better that the rest of dads )

My Heavenly father
Is so holy
And so great at cooking
I’m sure he makes great guacamole 

He’s the best dad ever
He’s not the worst, no, not ever 

He’s got everything you want in a dad
Isn’t it rad
That’s why I’m so glad

So if I were you
(I’m glad I’m not )
I’d think twice
Before saying
My dad’s the best
Way better than the rest

Post-winter dish: Tuna Pasta Salad with Broccoli and Spinach

Inspiration struck me again and I came up with another pasta dish! This time, it's more of a salad, making use of what was left in my cupboard and fridge at this time of the week:

1. Pasta (by now you must have noticed how I love this staple food - especially penne)
2. One small can of tuna
3. 3 tbsp of mayonnaise
4. carrots, diced 
5. broccoli, chopped into small pieces
6. spinach, chopped
7. onion, chopped
8. garlic, chopped
9. red bell pepper, diced
10. one small pack of raisins
11. olive oil
12. salt and pepper to taste
13. sweet basil (dried or fresh, optional)

How to create it:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Saute garlic, onion, and red bell pepper.
3. Add tuna, salt and pepper.
4. Set aside the sauteed tuna. Let it cool.
5. Once it's cool, add the mayonnaise.
6. Mix it well. Gradually add the cooked pasta.
7. Then the chopped broccoli, spinach, and sweet basil.
8. Add the raisins.

Can be eaten warm or chilled. I prefer the former, straight out from the mixing bowl - especially during this cold, post-winter evening.

This actually looks like post-winter! :)

Italy meets South Asia: Chicken Curry Pasta with Spinach

After several weeks of having tuna-tomato pasta, I finally got bored. So tonight, I decided to give my favorite Italian staple a South Asian twist: I placed my chicken curry on top of my pasta!

And it tasted so new and good! So, I am sharing it with you:

Ingredients:
1. chopped garlic
2. sliced onion (I used white)
3. sliced red bell pepper
4. olive oil to saute
5. chicken nibbles (They're cheap!)
6. diced carrots
7.curry powder (this actually depends on how strong your powder is and how strong you want your dish to taste)
8. milk
9. salt and pepper to taste
10. pasta (of course! I used penne.)
11. spinach
12. mixed herbs (optional)

How to cook it:
1. Cook pasta according to directions on its pack.
2. Saute garlic, onion and red bell pepper - just enough to release the flavors and wet it with olive oil. Do not overcook it.
3. Add the chicken nibbles. Then salt and pepper to taste.
4. Once the chicken is cooked and tender, add the diced carrots (and mixed herbs).
5. Then add the curry powder and milk. Turn the heat to low.
(Remember that the amount of milk depends on the consistency that you want to achieve with your sauce. The curry sauce is your pasta sauce.)
6. Just let the mixture simmer until all the flavors are sealed in.
7. Pour the mixture on top of the cooked pasta.
8. Add the spinach on top.

Enjoy! :)

Love it strong! :)

Hearing Wellington's "Soul"

Wellington is not just only "back to business" after the earthquake (according to the very lame, capitalist headline of their city newspaper, Dominion Post) - its "soul" is alive once again.

 

Considered to be the "soul" of Wellington's Central Business District (CBD), Cuba Street is one of Wellington City's four prominent streets - with Lambton Quay, Willis and Courtenay Place as the other three. The first two are more into businesses and high-end shops while the latter is the city's entertainment center.

 

You know you're in Cuba Street: the iconic "Bucket Fountain"

  

Cuba Street used to be tram routes. But it has since then developed a life of its own, forcing local authorities to close the street, remove the railways, and turn this into the busiest, if not the most exciting, pedestrian life in Wellington.

 

How pedestrian could it get? Chess on the street!

 

Now, Cuba Street is known for its bohemian and eclectic shops, cafes, small fashion stores, art galleries, and music shops. It offers an alternative to the jaded, First-World city life of Wellington.

 

Keeping warm in one of my favorite coffee shops.

  

Passing through this exotic road on a Friday afternoon, I was taken into a musical treat of relatively young and vibrant group of buskers. I just like how they just let loose and allow their entire being to be taken over by their wonderful music. Their free spirits are contagious!

  

Made me feel like it's almost Christmas here, really. Have a good weekend, everyone!

Aftershock(ed).

I come from a country that is visited by typhoons so often that they are named alphabetically to indicate how many had come and gone and where floods can rise so high it can wipe off an entire suburb. I also had already been through the wildest winter storm Wellington City had in the past 36 years so fierce I was stranded in the university and was forced to walk home at 2:00 in the morning, braving a 0 degree-Celsius temperature.

So I thought I was already toughened up when natural disasters strike - until a 6.5 magnitude earthquake rocked Wellington's Central Business District (CBD) yesterday at 5PM. Although I was not hurt and there were no major damages from our apartment, that got me shaking until I can no longer distinguish my own body's tremors and those of the aftershocks.

Wellington CBD after the quake: Fragile and dangerous.
(Photo by Ryan Curran, from his Facebook account). 

I guess this fear comes out of a feeling of helplessness and lack of sense of control over things. While the entire building where I live was swaying, all I can do was wait under my table, where I took refuge. I wanted to get out and run away from the city as far as possible but I cannot do anything.

Unlikely refuge: This is where I took cover during the earthquake.

So as tremors were becoming weaker and less frequent this morning, I took that as a vantage period - a window of opportunity - to be back in control.

Got my "emergency kit"sorted out. I think all people in any part of the globe should have one. Upon coming here in New Zealand, we were encouraged to prepare an "emergency kit" so we could be prepared when natural disasters strike. This kit includes water (at least three liters), food (canned, tinned, dried - for at least three days), essential medications, warm clothes, toilet paper, rubbish bags, torch/flashlight, batteries, and first aid kit. It would also be good to have a can opener or a Swiss knife (although I have yet to get one).

Life in a bag: Having something to "grab 'n go"
lessens the anxiety of what to do next.

Downloaded an app that monitors earthquakes. Knowledge is power. It is always best to be informed. Good thing New Zealand has its own website, which can also be downloaded as an app, that monitors geological hazards in the country. This is called GeoNet. It gives you real-time details of the intensity, magnitude, depth, and location of the quakes. New Zealand is a network of many major fault lines. Earthquakes happen here everyday, mostly unnoticeable though.

Quake App: The two icons on the upper-left part of the screen indicates
that there have been two earthquakes near the city as of that time. 

UPDATED: I forgot to say that you are able to adjust the setting of the quake alerts that you want to be alerted of (say, what minimum level of intensity you are keen to be aware of). You don't want GeoNet icons popping out almost every minute on your phone screen.

Talked to folks at home. While I truly appreciate being checked on by quite a lot of good friends here in Wellington, including the Philippine Ambassador herself, nothing beats having familiar and familial faces (and smiles) to assure you that everything's fine. Being 8,000 miles away from home in an extremely dangerous situation like this can really be traumatizing.

Nanay and Tatay: "What's important is that your brain
didn't get some serious shaking!" :)

Played Christmas songs. Oh yes, there's really something about Christmas that keeps my hopes alive. Almost cried upon hearing Whitney Houston's version of "First Noel" when I played it this afternoon. I am really looking forward to celebrate Christmas meaningfully after these unforgettable experiences!

Ate and dined out. Boy, I really ate few hours after that quake! Stress levels were all-time high and my energy was wasted. It was also good that the dinner hosted by our apartment manager (and was scheduled tonight) pushed through. It was therapeutic to talk with people who live in the same building with you (some were even few floors up) and experienced the same scary situation as you did.

Yes. This was how we coped with the earthquake.

Despite the earthquake, it's reassuring that there are still some establishments that opened and tried to normalize the city's operations again. Most buildings, offices, even universities, were closed today due to city-wide inspection.

Quake note: From the coffee shop just beside our building.

Blocked: We had to do some rerouting on our way to the dinner.

Thanked the God who is in control. Above all, I am thankful at how these entire drama reminded me of the most important things in life. I was looking at all my stuff in my room as they swayed and realized that I can actually survive with just those few items in one backpack! When you are in this city, you will really be tempted to buy and buy and buy a lot of things, which you don't really need. When calamities strike, you wouldn't be able to bring them all anyway. So make sure that what you have are only the essentials - enough for you to live and be productive.

It also goes without saying that you just saw a list of the things that truly matter to me: my family, getting informed and learning new things (and alright, my cell phone), music, food, and just having some good time talking with old and new friends.

Guess being "aftershocked" is not that scary at all. If anything, it was enlightening.

Keep calm and stay alert, everyone!

Auckland City: Where Volcanoes are Tourist Destinations

In visiting big cities, 360-degree views would be the best way for one to make the most out of tall buildings, busy traffic, and bustling urban life. Fortunately for Auckland City, it has 48 volcanoes, all within about 20 kilometers away from the city center.

While I totally enjoyed my visit up the man-made Sky Tower, nothing beats the nature's heights and the natural high it brings when we drove up three volcanoes in Auckland City. Besides, it's cheap. I paid NZD20 for Sky Tower. I didn't pay anything when I went up these volcanic heights:

MT. EDEN
I placed Mt. Eden (Maungawhau) on top of my list because it is the highest volcano in Auckland at 196 meters. What I truly love about this volcano is its flawless bowl-like crater, which is 50 meters deep. It last erupted 15,000 years ago and within a long time, grass grew on it, giving its crater a velvety feel.

Looks like a gigantic version of the University of the Philippines' Sunken Garden.

The slopes of Mt. Eden were used to be densely populated by Maori and the crater was known as the food bowl of Mataoho. One can get to Mt. Eden by car or by bus from the city center. There's a bus stop near the foot of the mountain and one can climb up to the summit, which is just around 2 kilometers.

ONE TREE HILL
It's easy to spot One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) because of its distinctive obelisk smacked right into its summit. One Tree Hill is the second largest volcano after Rangitoto, at 183 meters high. It has three craters.

The Maori name Maungakiekie literally means mountain of the kiekie, a type of vine. The European name was given by Sir John Logan Campbell, whose remains are buried alongside the obelisk, after a lone tree that stood on its summit. Since then, the tree has become a political symbol, an object of protest attacks until it was felled in 2001 for safety reasons. Logically, One Tree Hill is a pre-European Maori fortification and may be the largest earth fort in the world.

One Tree Hill is 8.2 kilometers or 13-minute drive from downtown Auckland.

The natural terrains of this volcanic cone is an ideal fortification.

MT. WELLINGTON
This wasn't really part of my itinerary but since my cousin lives in the suburb of Mt. Wellington, we went for a quick tramping before dinner.

Sunset at Mt. Wellington :)

It would be useful to know that the volcanoes of Auckland were important sites of Maori settlements. Aside from being an ideal fortress, these mountains can be ringed with terraces of housing, storage pits, and large gardens on a fertile, volcanic soil. Meanwhile, European settlers took advantage of the volcanoes' warm slopes for housing. They quarried  volcanic metals for buildings, walls, railways, and roads.

The crater of Mt. Wellington is right there at the bottom, middle part of the ridges.

It would equally be good to know that Mt. Wellington is not expected to erupt again. It now serves as a park. It has picnic benches around and a vast field where children can run around. I even saw someone flying a kite on that windy day.

Now, what's for dinner? :)


Sources:
http://www.aucklandnz.com/destinations/mount-eden
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/auckland-places/page-19