You know that you arrived in Rotorua with the very special smell of rotten eggs... The city is indeed built on a large geothermal area, made of natural hot water pools, geyser, boiling mud and other hot spots made from the volcanic activity of the region. The sulfate evaporating from the deeper ground give to the air its smell. I'm even surprised they don't experience more trouble living in such an active area, where you can find everywhere in the city small 'hot pools', with steam rising and boiling waters. Some have been turned to Spa centers, other to be used as natural heater (like the one used to warm the Jacuzzi in my backpacker hotel).
Except this very important geothermal activity (with many places as Te Puia or Government Gardens), Rotorua entertain the maori culture with many reconstituted villages (many real villages are not open to tourism) and a large choice of outdoors activity (mountain biking, boogie jumping, riding luge and rolling giant balls...).
The city itself like many in New-Zealand is ordinary. No special architecture, buildings, arts or whatsoever. The nightlife is even quite boring, with all bars and restaurants closing early (they don't serve after 21h!)
