Zorb

Have you wondered what it might feel like if you're inside a washing machine? One way to find out is to try Zorb, one of the more extreme attractions at Rotorua.

What is Zorb? The best way to describe it is a human hamster ball. You sit inside a giant plastic ball, which is then pushed down a slope. As the ball rolls down the slope, you experience the thrill and joy of being tossed around.

Zorb ball getting ready to be rolled down the slope

My interpretation of the experience

Zorb is something to experience if you're ever in Rotorua, have NZD40 to spare, and would like try something crazy. That's exactly the situation I found myself in, so I thought, "what the hell, you only live once." :-)

There are 2 options, and 2 tracks. The 2 options are: dry or wet. For the dry option, you are harnessed to a seat inside the ball. As the ball rolls, the seat, and you, roll along with it. For the wet option, you are not harnessed to anything, and are free to tumble around inside the ball. The ball is filled with about 10cm of water, hence it's wet (to reduce friction). The 2 tracks are straight or zig-zag. The straight track is faster, while the zig-zag has more bumps.

I chose the wet option, and zig-zag. The experience was... well, hard to describe. Maybe my expression in the pictures below will show you.

Dazed after the ride

Yes!

Zorb was invented in New Zealand, but has now spread all over the world. It can be risky, if not handled safely. Recently, one person was killed, and another seriously injured, when their Zorb ball rolled off a cliff in Russia. The Zorb in NZ is very safe, because they have high safety standards.

Attractions in Rotorua

Wai-O-Tapu

Located 25km from Rotorua, Wai-O-Tapu is a park with geysers and geothermal pools. It is similar to Yellowstone National Park in US, although not as big or majestic.

Lady Knox geyser

Champagne Pool

Geothermal pool

Redwoods

Whakarewarewa forest, or simply known as "Redwoods", is a man-made forest park only 5km from Rotorua. Its name originated from the California Redwoods that can be found there.

How did a tree native to US came to be in NZ? In late 19th century, the NZ government was looking for trees that can be grown for commercial forestry production. The government experimented with several species, planting them here in Rotorua, to see how well they can grow in NZ environment. Ultimately, Radiata Pine (another native California tree) was chosen as the best suited for NZ climate. Today, most NZ wood production comes from pine.

For some reason, they did not cut down these Redwoods, and now it's a public park. There are many walking and mountain bike trails in the park.

An American Redwood in New Zealand

Rotorua

Rotorua, located 230km south east of Auckland, is a major tourist destination in New Zealand. It is known for 3 things: hot springs, Maori culture and extreme sports.


Rotorua is located next to a large lake, known simply as Lake Rotorua. While Lake Rotorua looks like a normal lake today, it is actually a volcano caldera, a giant crater formed by a volcanic explosion 220,000 years ago. That explosion was so large that it created a giant crater, which eventually filled with water and became Lake Rotorua.

Rotorua and its lake

One feature of Rotorua that all visitors immediately notice is the smell. It's a stinking sulphur smell similar to Yellowstone Park in US, or White Island in NZ. This is caused by sulphur in the air reacting with water, forming hydrogen sulphide. Even in the city, you can see active geothermal vents.

Kuirau Park near Rotorua city center

Geothermal activity in Rotorua

If this reminds you of White Island, this is because Rotorua, White Island and Taupo collectively forms what is known as the Taupo Volcanic Zone. This is the most active volcano zone in NZ, and possibly the world.

Taupo Volcanic Zone (www.sciencelearn.org.nz)

The nearest volcano to Rotorua is called Mount Tarawera, and is 24km from the city. Its last eruption was about 130 years ago, in 1886, and killed about 120 people. Given the rather large distance from Rotorua, most of the people killed were not from the city, but from small villages closer to the mountain. If there was an explosion today, I don't think there will be much damage to the city from the volcano itself, although there could be damage from the accompanying earthquake and tremors.

Artist depiction of Mt Tarawera explosion (www.clearwater.co.nz)

Mt Tarawera today

Can you spot Mt Tarawera?

Rotorua was a major Maori settlement before Europeans arrived. Why would they live in such a dangerous area? The answer is there are many benefits to living in a hot geothermal area. Maori had free heating in winter, and free hot water for bathing and cooking. This was before there was electricity and gas, which we take for granted today.

Even today, we get many benefits. Geothermal power produces about 10% of NZ total energy. And the hot springs is a major tourist attraction.

Ohinemutu, a Maori village in Rotorua

Maori cultural performance (www.tepuia.com)

That explained 2 of the 3 attractions in Rotorua. What about extreme sports? I'm not sure, but I guess that came from some creative and enterprising Kiwis taking advantage of the large number of tourists visiting the city.