helenann

By helenann

On the way to Rotorua

This morning, we visited Auckland's impressive art gallery to see some wonderful  contemporary New Zealand art, as well as a valuable collection of modern European art bequeathed to the gallery by Josie and Julian Robertson, a  couple of philanthropists from New York, who also liked NZ very much. Their gift includes works by Cezanne, Matisse, Dali and Picasso. The art gallery is in the city yet  next to  delightfully quiet Albert Park ( complete with Oak trees and planted with spring bedding plants) and several University buildings. 
Then we collected our hire car and set off for our next stop in Rotorua. About halfway between Auckland and Rotorua is Hamilton where we had been recommended to visit some rather special gardens. We were not disappointed. A series of interlinking gardens ( rooms, I suppose would be another description we might use) has been created. My main shows the garden called Nga Pukeahu o Puna, naned after Puna the deity of Kumara. The garden has been created to show how the first Maoris cultivated kumara, ( Ipomoea batatas or sweet potato)which they brought from Polynesia. The tubers rot easily so they grew them on mounds ( puke) of free draining sandy soil shown here.  They stored the tubers in underground  pits called rua, and apparently this elegant building was a garden shed for storing tools!
The extra shows the Charbagh garden, the original paradise garden planted with colourful and fragrant flowers (as seen here with wall flowers, pinks, marigolds, tulips and poppies). There was also a " traditional" English garden where a Clematis montana was in full bloom as well as Hellebores and spring bulbs. We spent a couple of very happy hours here exploring all the Gardens and the neighbouring riverside walk, before resuming our drive.
Finally, as it was growing dark about 6.30pm  we arrived at our hotel in Rotorua beside the steaming lake. ( We actually smelled Rotorua before we saw it, as the air is so full of sulphurous gases!

I am getting so behind with my blips and  commenting on other people's journals because we are having such a busy, but an amazing time! Also, not always able to get online. Will catch up when I can.

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