November is a great time to pause for a moment and recharge the mind, body and spirit as we sprint toward the end of 2024, as Pete Wales discovered.
In what has been a stressful year for many people in Aotearoa, New Zealand, it’s a good time to harness the healing power of the Cultural Wellness – Restorative Journey (Wai Whakaora) experience at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, a premium cultural and wellness centre in Rotorua.
Recently, I embarked on this rejuvenating, transformative, therapeutic experience of geothermal heat, water, mud and steam. The process takes place over five stages, transcending the physical and embracing the spiritual and cultural essence of the Māori people.
The journey begins with a karakia (Māori incantation and prayer used to evoke spiritual guidance and protection) with a welcoming and helpful guided instructional tour of each of the five stages journey (total two and a half hours) and how to benefit from them. Each stage has its own purpose but all are designed to reinvigorate and revitalise the mind, body and spirit in a set order.
- Stage 1, Waterfall Showers (Te Iringa): a succession of soft hot and cold streams of water opens awareness and begins the process.
- Stage 2, Tongariro Fire and Ice Caves (Te Ahi Tupua): this series of hot and cold, wet and dry experiences in three saunas, a cold plunge stream and ice room with a self-activating ice bucket. This is a truly stimulating part of the journey.
- Stage 3, The Geothermal Pools (Te Taiwhanga Matua): features five pools – herbal, hydrotherapy, two mineral alkaline and a cold plunge. I spent quite some time in the pools, enjoying the various benefits they each had to offer. For me, this was the most relaxing part of the visit.
- Stage 4, Geothermal Mud Lounge (Te Pae Paru): presenting Papatūānuku (the land), this offers a unique experience during which naturally occurring mud (produced in Rotorua) nourishes the skin and connects us with the land. Mud is applied all over the body and left to dry before guests move on to the final stage.
- Stage 5, Steam Room (Kohu Wai Ariki): this is a steam room like no other! Its large, round, black onyx-coloured tiled room with neon lights made me feel like I was stepping into a nightclub! The steam goes to work on mud-caked bodies before visitors are washed clean using the hot shower stations across the steam room’s round, circular wall and centre plinth.
The entire Wai Whakaora, Restorative Journey, was an unhurried, rejuvenating experience that will stay with me for a long time. I encourage readers to invest in revivifying their minds, bodies and spirits, especially at this time of year – you won’t be disappointed and I’ll certainly be back!
For more information call 07 349 7111 or visit www.wai-ariki.co.nz
