Rotorua’s Gondola and Luge ride

Wake up sleepy head. Time to leave our comfy bed at New Zealand boutique hotel (Regent Rotorua) and head up the side of the volcano.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volcano!!

I thought that might get your attention!

You heard right. Today we are heading up the side of Mount Ngongotaha, a dormant volcano.

And here is our transport.

We are riding up in a gondola…Skyline Rotorua.

Being part of a large tour group we have to arrive early to avoid the large crowds expected today AND to partake in a delicious breakfast buffet in the restaurant at the top.

From our table we get a bird’s eye view of the town of Rotorua.

That is Lake Rotorua way down there.

(Hint: Click on any photo to enlarge it.)

Lake Rotorua is the second largest lake on the North Island. It is a crater lake…that’s correct, we are on the side of a dormant volcano and the town is built in the cater of the volcano. Yikes!

After breakfast we can take a luge ride. I saw this on the Amazing Race a few years ago so we just have to try it.

These are the individual luges we will ride in. Hmm.

(Hint: Click on any photo to enlarge it.)

Well… nothing ventured, nothing gained. Let’s go.

Whee! This is fun!

(But I am glad we are not being timed like they were on the Amazing Race.)

Let’s take the chairlift back up to the entrance and do it again.

Want to try the advanced track this time?

After that we can take the Sky Swing (NOT!) or explore the shops up here. I wonder what a Jelly Bean Gallery is?

Wow…look at all the people in line now, waiting to go up the gondola.

Glad we went early!

Now…want to travel on down the road and experience a different way

to travel down a mountain?

No? Yes?

To join us on another adventure in Rotorua, click here.

To travel elsewhere in New Zealand, click here.

To travel to other parts of the world, click here.

Happy travels!