Spa Day!

The trip is starting to wind down despite our best efforts, and it's going to be more evident in that....there's just less to actively talk about. We're spending the next few days in Rotorua and then we're heading to Auckland and then....we're done. Rotorua seemed like a good central location in the North Island for our next few days (everything we want to do is like an hour ish away - 2 at most.) So thus we stay. But today we decided to stay in town, look at some shops, eat at a french bistro (the woman running it was from France!) and then, Spa Day. Rotorua is known for some of their hot springs and mud pools (and Maori culture, which is what yesterday was about!) So, we booked a treatment at this placed called the Polynesian Spa and we got there early to soak in some alkaline pools of various temps (100-106F) and they also had a cold plunge pool which was, duh, cold. But felt nice! We chatted with a few others - the place was busy, but I didn't feel like it was crowded. But also, since we were ~*fancy*~ and had a massage and mud wrap booked, we got to hang out in the more private area - apparently you can just go hang out in some mineral pools for a lot less money and that side seemed pretty full (we couldn't see them from the pools in the treatment center, but we could see them as we were wrapping up.) It was lovely. The pools were hot, we were outside overlooking the lake, the seagulls were screaming (nature!) and it wasn't sunny. It was an overcast day which actually made the chill day better. After our pool time, we got to head inside for the massage and mud wrap. It was just what the doctor ordered. Cause we're still kinda feeling the Crossing - it's like when you haven't exercised in a while and then suddenly you pick it back up? Your body is mad for like, the next 3 days. Hopefully the massage made it only 2 days. I do feel better - more stretched. My legs didn't want to buckle when I sat up at least.

And the mud wrap? Oh man, that made my skin feel so soft. Not only are you covered in mud, you're wrapped up. I felt like a swaddled baby. Wish the treatment was a bit longer, but also, it was probably the perfect length. Scalp massage while we were wrapped, and I felt like the heat dissipated too quickly. Or maybe that's just my lizard self always needing it to be super hot. But even after they finished up and sent us on our way, we were able to sit by the pools a bit longer outside. We opted to not go back in, but they had they like, heated recliners? Great way to end. We chilled there outside as the skies grew more gray and eventually we called it, got dressed and left. The rain was starting to fall, and we found a Sushi Conveyor Belt restaurant! It's actually pretty popular, but we got there kinda early it seems. Not too many people, but more came in later. The belt went around and we picked our plates. I decided to order some Wagyu beef from their "regular" menu, and we watched as a train would pull out from kitchen with a plate of food, and stop itself in front of whoever had ordered it. They would grab their plate, and send the train back! It was so cute. And I was SO excited for my plate to come out on the train. Instead, I got the actual chef - hat and all - to come out from the kitchen, with said wagyu beef and a torch. He cooked my meat in front of me and dressed in with sesame seeds and I felt so special, and also, still slightly robbed. ........ ....... ...... I wanted the train..... But I DID feel special, so I'll take it! The food was amazing, and we ate our fill. We both wanted to keep eating, but not because we were hungry, but because we wanted to try more things, but we at least showed restraint and left while we could. And we called it an early night - the rain has been in and out since dinner, and you know, we don't want to mess with our relaxation flow. We are definitely doing some more stuff tomorrow though, and we're not done with the adventuring yet either! No pics tonight - I didn't bring my camera to town, and my phone isn't uploading them. Sorry! Check instagram? Psych, I can add insta from here!