My primary reason for traveling to New Zealand was to attend a research conference, specifically the 10th International Conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. After completing my Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering, I transitioned into a full-time research role, with my work on nanofiber desalination membranes being the driving force behind my participation in the event. While I contemplated my options for overseas conferences, I was torn between Japan and New Zealand. Although Japan seemed like the more budget-friendly choice due to lower airfare, I ultimately opted for New Zealand, primarily because the conference was being held in Rotorua, a city where a close friend of mine resides.
I arrived in New Zealand a couple of days before the conference kicked off. On my first day, I explored the serene Redwoods Forest in Rotorua, while the second day took me to Skyline Rotorua and an intriguing visit to the Te Pa Tu Maori Village Tour. For more details on these adventures, you can check out my profile for my previous posts.
Conference Day 1
The conference was held at the Energy Events Centre, situated near the Government Gardens and Lake Rotorua. I arrived well in advance to ensure a smooth start to my experience. The room was already bustling with attendees when I arrived. After completing my registration, I sought out someone I had met during the Maori Village tour the day before. To my surprise, he didn't recognize me initially, possibly due to everyone wearing masks. It wasn't until I removed my mask that he finally remembered me.
Suddenly, an announcement from the crowd signaled the commencement of the proceedings. We were directed to enter through a giant yellow door into the grand hall, and curiously, we were initially asked to segregate ourselves into men and women on opposite sides. Some attendees voiced their concerns about this gender-based division, but within a few minutes, the organizers clarified that those who did not identify strictly as male or female could choose which side to join.
As the doors swung open, we filed into the hall. Some dignitaries were on stage, and the opening ceremony exuded solemnity. The entire ceremony was conducted in Maori, a language I didn't understand, leaving me to sit and absorb the ritual, which included interchanges and melodic singing. The audience remained silent.
I gathered that one of the individuals on stage was the head of the institute responsible for organizing the conference. Despite his European appearance, his fluency in Maori was striking. The ceremony's lasted about 20 minutes. Then, the people on stage stood up and moved offstage. Without a brief explanation of what the opening ceremony was about, the host promptly transitioned to the conference agenda.
The first plenary talk was about how the institute placed great importance on Maori culture and practices. It was amazing to see their scientific community placing such gravity on indigenous heritage. Then, we had parallel sessions and I chose to go to the ones that interested me. I won't bore you with the technical details.
Lunch time came and the food was a bit of a culture shock for me. There was no rice which was a big disappointment. I had a salad, some vegetables with tofu, noodles, and a sandwich. I was not satisfied.
In the afternoon, there was a performance from the Whakarewarewa Maori Village. I was not as shocked as the first time I saw how people performed the Haka because of the tour I had the previous day. But I was stil amazed at how good the performers were able to project their voices and do those aggressive facial expressions.
The first day ended with a Welcome Function at their poster hall. I expected some dinner to be served but I was again 'culture-shocked' to see glasses of wine and bottles of beer on display. I was hungry from the meager lunch, but I still wanted to try their drinks. I grabbed one that looked good. I was right! It was one of the best beers I've had. It was sweet and light. As much as I wanted to drink as much alcohol as I could, my friend was already waiting for me outside the venue. We were going to this place called Secret Spot.
Secret Spot
Feeling a bit hungry and slightly tipsy, I made my way out of the venue, where my friend was already waiting inside her car. It was 7 PM, yet the daylight lingered, a stark contrast to what I was accustomed to back home in the Philippines. Another difference was that the roads in Rotorua were wide and sparsely populated with vehicles, a noticeable departure from the narrow, congested streets filled with cars and motorcycles back in my hometown.
After a brief drive under the late afternoon sun, we arrived at a clearing, and that's when I saw it - Secret Spot. A miniature waterfall adorned the sign, and the place itself had a rustic wooden facade with rocky landscaping. The words "Hot Tubs Rotorua" were displayed beneath its name. I hadn't expected it to be this kind of establishment; I initially thought it was just a cozy coffee shop. Another sign nearby indicated "Good George Brewing Co.," which, little did I know then, was a renowned beer seller in New Zealand.
We ventured inside and noticed a counter as well as changing and shower rooms. Some people emerged from the outdoors, drenched and refreshed. Passing them by, we stepped outside into an area with wooden walkways, railings, umbrellas, and scattered tables and chairs. A stream flowed under a nearby bridge, and the place only had a handful of people.
Surrounded by lush trees and shrubs, I soon spotted the hot tubs. Had I known, I would have brought spare clothes. Some of the tubs were tucked away in secluded areas, with a few couples enjoying their time within them. My friend shared that she had celebrated one of her birthdays in Secret Spot, relishing the tranquility, except for the couples making out.
We want back inside and to order some food. I ordered a cake and a drink called Hazy IPA. The beer tasted just like how it sounded, hazy. But it was good, although a bit heavy. We brought our food outside and sat under an umbrella. There was a small tub where you could dip your feet into. My friend told me that I could put my feet in it. The water was stagnant and I wasn't sure if it was recently replaced, so I opted to keep my feet dry.
As we chatted, the afternoon sun gradually descended on the horizon, and I was beginning to embrace the leisurely pace of Rotorua. Life here was calm, peaceful, and laid-back, though it could sometimes feel a bit too quiet and isolated, even bordering on loneliness. I was grateful to have my friend's company during this trip.
The sunset unfolded past 8 PM as we made our way back home. It was still a bit surreal to believe that I was in New Zealand, a world away from my homeland.
After a day filled with technical presentations, spending time at Secret Spot with my friend was the perfect way to unwind and conclude the day.
That's it! That's a wrap for Day 3 of my New Zealand adventure. There are plenty more exciting experiences to share, and I'll make sure to document them in my upcoming blog posts. Stay tuned for the next one! Cheers!
