New Zealand Day Sixteen: Rotorua To Matamata. More Exploration Of The North Island.
After my long day exploring Rotorua, I awoke early the next morning. I looked out my window and saw the steam from the geysers and geothermal vents continue to spew into the air. I wanted to take one more hike in this town before I moved on and continued my exploration of the North Island. 
I had to check out of my hotel by 11 a.m. so I couldn’t travel far. I looked for trails on Google maps and noticed I actually was only about two miles from the Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest. I found a trail that looked like it would get me there. I decided to follow it to the forest.
Unfortunately the trail led to this dilapidated bridge. I was able to cross it but found a fence blocking the trail on the other side.
Instead of following the trail on the map I walked the highway that followed the trail. I still needed to cross the stream that followed along the highway.
I eventually found another bridge that crossed the stream that blocked my way to the forest.
The trail took me past some residential developments, a school and finally a conservation center. I still wasn’t able to cross the stream. 
Finally I found a bridge that crossed the stream and led me through a commercial pine tree forest and,
eventually to the redwood forest I visited the previous day.
I again hiked under the giant redwoods. And again shared the forest with groups of Chinese tourists.
bike park
After about a mile hike, I walked back to the visitor center and then headed back to the hotel. I took a slightly different path and came upon this bicycle obstacle course.
There were some familiar plants and flowers along the paths. The pokeweed,
and morning glory had to have been brought to New Zealand with the first settlers to the area,
I only saw a few birds on my hike including this pukeko.
On my return walk I visited the local neighborhoods and found them very similar to suburban America.
I enjoyed exploring the streets and trails of Rotorua. Here is a link to some more photographs from my morning hike. New Zealand Day Sixteen Rotorua morning hike. February 20 2019.
I got back in time to quickly pack and check out of my room at 11 a.m. I next satisfied my hunger at the sumptuous lunch buffet. There was excellent internet at the Holiday Inn hotel. I spent the next three hours in the quiet hotel lobby finally editing and uploading the many photographs I took on my trip. At 3: p.m. I took the shuttle to the iSITE and waited for my bus for the 1 1/2 hour drive to Matamata. When it arrived I was 
delighted to find it was a double decker and almost empty.
I had a birds-eye view seat with a beautiful view of the passing scenery.
And the scenery was beautiful.
We drove through farms lands,
cattle and sheep ranches and
dense forest. 
It was a delightful ride. We encountered some construction as we neared Matamata.
And I was soon departing the bus in this quaint little town, the closest town to Hobbiton. Here is a link to a gallery of photos from my ride. New Zealand Day Sixteen Rotorua to Matamata bus ride. February 20 2019. 
It was after 5 p.m when I arrived in Matamata. I was staying at the Central Hotel. I liked for a taxi, they are usually near the bus stop. I didn’t see one. I asked someone near the bus stop and they said there is only one in town . They said I’d be better off walking. Well I did and I discovered my hotel was a 1/2 mile from the bus stop.
The sidewalks of Matamata where not designed to pull luggage. It was an interesting 1/2 walk. I looked like a refugee. But I loved the experience. I was soon checking into a comfortable room at my hotel.
And soon leaving it to get a quick look at this once small and rural, but now rapidly growing town.
Matamata is the closest town to movie set of Hobbiton. The home of hobbits in J.R.R Tolkien masterpieces the Hobbit and the Lord Of The Rings. The town is flooded with the book and movie fans. I was one of them.
I walked past the Hobbit themed iSITE and walked the Main Street. It was bustling with activity.
Locals having dinner and a beer were joined by many tourists visiting Hobbiton.
I walked past the local shops and stores that lined the busy main streets and
walked into the residential neighborhoods.
It was getting late and I was getting hungry so I returned to my hotel via the railroad tracks. Here is a link to some more photographs from my evening walk. New Zealand Day Sixteen: Matamata evening walk. February 20 2019
After a quick shower I returned to town and enjoyed a delicious dinner at Osteria Matamata Italian restaurant.
“Travelling the road will tell you more about the road than the google will tell you about the road.”
―
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