Rotorua: The Cardboard Town

Although Rotorua is packed with many sorts of cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops, the town as a whole simply wasn’t inviting. It felt as though it were constructed simply for the purpose of catering to short-term tourists who stop into town between bungy jumps and zorb rides (No idea what a zorb is? Google Image it. You’re welcome.).

All of the venues we looked at for dinner were super expensive (even by NZ standards). Although the flat city smelled of sulfur and insincerity, it did posess one redeeming feature: a nice summer night market. Upon arrival, we wandered through the night market which had a decent selection of local confections, native foods, homemade sauces and chutneys, and a few artsy clothing vendors.

In conclusion, hit the night market, then run.