20.01.2017 Views

GAY Guysers-Gazette-Issue10.pdf

The magazine of Guysers Gaystay - a gay men's B&B in Rotorua, New Zealand, that provides a fun, informative and interesting read for gay travellers visiting Rotorua, New Zealand. Contains some adult themes intended for a gay male audience. guysersgaystay.com

The magazine of Guysers Gaystay - a gay men's B&B in Rotorua, New Zealand, that provides a fun, informative and interesting read for gay travellers visiting Rotorua, New Zealand. Contains some adult themes intended for a gay male audience. guysersgaystay.com

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Issue 10 • AUTUMN 2017<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong><br />

<strong>Gazette</strong><br />

A day trip to Waitomo Caves<br />

Rainbow Mountain<br />

Rotorua Area Gay Society (RAGS)<br />

Nude Yoga<br />

Rotorua’s<br />

explosive<br />

forces<br />

Gaystay<br />

Rotorua, New Zealand


Contents<br />

A hot soak with a great<br />

view at the Polynesian Spa.<br />

Welcome<br />

2017: Off to a good start................................3<br />

Tourism<br />

A day trip to Waitomo Caves........................6<br />

Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve.........10<br />

History<br />

Rotorua’s explosive forces...........................14<br />

Shopping<br />

Satisfy your sweet tooth..............................18<br />

What to shop for in Rotorua.......................20<br />

Events<br />

RAGS on Wednesdays...................................24<br />

Health<br />

Nude Yoga.........................................................26<br />

GUYSERS <strong>GAY</strong>STAY<br />

Hosted B&B for gay men<br />

1406c Pukuatua Street<br />

Rotorua, New Zealand<br />

Phone: NZ +64 (0) 21 0298 8093<br />

enquiries@guysersgaystay.com<br />

https://guysersgaystay.com<br />

Gaystay<br />

facebook.com/<strong>Guysers</strong>GaystayRotorua<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> Gaystay is a<br />

member of Gay Stay NZ<br />

New Zealand’s LGBT<br />

hosted accommodation<br />

www.gaystay.co.nz<br />

Welcome<br />

Welcome to our first issue of the <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

for 2017 – our e-magazine for gay travellers to<br />

Rotorua, New Zealand.<br />

In this issue, a recent guest of ours, ,<br />

took a day trip out to the Waitomo Caves visiting<br />

the original Glowworm cave and the spectacular<br />

Ruakuri cave. We get his account of his day there.<br />

We take a hike up to the summit of Rainbow<br />

Mountain to take in the stunning 360 degree views<br />

of Rotorua and surrounds and see its crater lake and<br />

other geothermal features of this active mountain.<br />

We take a look back in history at some of the<br />

hydrothermal eruptions that have taken place in<br />

and around Rotorua, including the recent event<br />

that took place on the lake edge at Ohinemutu.<br />

Wonder what there is to buy in Rotorua? We take a<br />

look at some suggestions where you can wave your<br />

Visa card and come away with some unique, useful,<br />

stylish, interesting, tasty or bazaar items – many of<br />

which are made right here in Rotorua.<br />

We tell you about our new “RAGS” social group and<br />

how you can attend if you are visiting Rotorua.<br />

Last up we look into the added health benefits of<br />

practicing yoga in the nude and why this is<br />

becoming a popular from of exercise worldwide.<br />

We hope you find this issue an interesting read.<br />

Peter & Mike<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> Gaystay, Rotorua, New Zealand<br />

2 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


Gaystay<br />

Rotorua<br />

2017.<br />

Off to a<br />

good start<br />

With record numbers of tourists<br />

visiting New Zealand, things are<br />

shaping up to be another busy year.<br />

2017 began on New Years Eve with an<br />

explosion of fireworks, entertainment<br />

and festivities down at the Village<br />

Green and Lakefront, Rotorua.<br />

At <strong>Guysers</strong> Gaystay B&B we’ve had one<br />

of the best summers yet in terms of<br />

accommodation bookings – so much<br />

so, we’ve sadly had to turn enquiries<br />

down as we’ve been booked out.<br />

Forward bookings are looking healthy<br />

well into March/April which is a good<br />

sign that tourism to Rotorua is<br />

continuing steadily even into the<br />

non-peak seasons.<br />

We’ve had some wonderful sunny days<br />

over summer and into the New Year.<br />

It’s been joyful and relaxing getting<br />

outside enjoying the sun on our bodies<br />

and socialising with a beer. We hope to<br />

see you at <strong>Guysers</strong> Gaystay real soon!<br />

Over 10,000 people gathered down at the Village Green<br />

in Rotorua to see in the New Year and party.<br />

The New Year celebrations was part of the ‘GLO Festival’<br />

which featured a line up of local and international<br />

bands, visual art installations and the countdown to a<br />

massive fireworks display over Lake Rotorua.<br />

Continued over...<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 3


Continued...<br />

A little love<br />

in the garden<br />

With the nice weather we’ve been having<br />

in Rotorua our gardens have erupted with<br />

a growth spurt filling our outdoor spaces<br />

with lush foliage and flowers. We get a lot of<br />

pleasure getting out in the sunshine tending<br />

to our Bali-inspired gardens, creating a space<br />

for our guests (and ourselves) that is beautiful,<br />

private and a tranquil place to sit and relax.<br />

Strawberries and cream<br />

Each year at <strong>Guysers</strong> Gaystay we plant<br />

strawberry plants in our raised vege box.<br />

We built a wooden frame and covered it with<br />

netting to keep the birds from eating our<br />

prized crop.<br />

When our strawberries are ripe we use them to<br />

decorate our fresh fruit salads which we prepare<br />

each morning for our guests. We make our fruit<br />

salads with seasonal fruits (never tinned) and<br />

guests can add yoghurt and cereal if they wish. q<br />

4 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


Many years ago Rotorua acquired the<br />

nickname “Rotovegas” due to a casino<br />

proposal (that was later rejected) and the<br />

bright lights and neons of Fenton Street’s<br />

motel strip resembling a mini Las Vegas.<br />

Love the nickname or loath it, the iconic<br />

‘Welcome to Fabulous Rotovegas’<br />

sign now has its place at the<br />

top of the Skyline complex.<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 5


Tourism<br />

The spiral walkway down<br />

into the Ruakuri Cave.<br />

A day trip to the<br />

By<br />

6 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


Waitomo’s original<br />

famous Glowworm Cave.<br />

The famous Waitomo Caves is by far the most<br />

spectacular network of caves in New Zealand and a ‘must do’<br />

when travelling the North Island. If you stay with us at <strong>Guysers</strong> Gaystay<br />

in Rotorua, we can arrange a day tour that includes pick-up and drop-off right from our<br />

front door. A recent guest of ours,<br />

, from Toronto Canada, did a combo day tour<br />

visiting the Glowworm Caves and the Ruakuri Cave. Here is Lee’s story of his day tour...<br />

This is my second visit to Rotorua. There is so<br />

much to see and do here I just had to return to<br />

this lovely town. On this trip I wanted to visit<br />

the Glowworm Caves at Waitomo. It was Mike at<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> Gaystay who advised me that this can<br />

be done as a day trip by bus from Rotorua.<br />

Waitomo is 180 km from Rotorua (about<br />

2 hours by bus with an early departure).<br />

We had a very pleasant bus journey through<br />

beautiful countryside and farmlands. I can<br />

see now why Peter Jackson chose this area of<br />

New Zealand for the Shire movie set!<br />

We arrived at the visitor centre in Waitomo<br />

by 9 am, and were then instructed on where to<br />

congregate for the start of the tour.<br />

First up for me was the Glowworm Cave and<br />

within minutes we were below ground amongst<br />

caverns of stalactites and stalagmites.<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

The complete tour of the Glowworm Cave lasts<br />

45 minutes with a guide that explains the rock<br />

formations and glowworm life cycle. A slow<br />

boat ride through the dark and silent cave with<br />

thousands of glowworms lighting the cave<br />

ceiling completes the tour. The glowworms are<br />

spectacular and fascinating to see, I must say.<br />

We were instructed that no photography is<br />

allowed inside the Glowworm Cave and we<br />

were asked to keep quite as loud noise or<br />

camera flashes will disturb the glowworms and<br />

they will stop glowing.<br />

The next cave of my ‘combo’ ticket, and indeed<br />

the highlight for me, was a one-kilometre<br />

guided walk through the Ruakuri Cave.<br />

Ruakuri Cave is the longest underground cave<br />

in the Waitomo area. It was first discovered by<br />

local Māori between 400 and 500 years ago.<br />

Continued over...<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 7


Continued...<br />

The name Ruakuri, or “den of dogs” was<br />

created when wild dogs were discovered<br />

making their home in the cave entrance some<br />

300 years later.<br />

The Ruakuri Cave tour begins with a 15-metre<br />

descent down a spiral walkway then through a<br />

door that is closed behind you after you enter<br />

to keep the atmospheric climate conditions<br />

from changing inside the cave.<br />

After a quick safety briefing and a few rules<br />

of the cave (like no breaking pieces off to<br />

take as souvenirs, as people used to do many<br />

years ago, shame on them) our group was<br />

manoeuvring through narrow pathways<br />

surrounded by towering limestone formations,<br />

underground rivers, waterfalls, and more<br />

impressive stalactites and stalagmites than<br />

you can imagine!<br />

Also in the Ruakuri Cave were fossils – a remnant<br />

from the time thousands of years ago when the<br />

area was beneath the sea.<br />

The Ruakuri Cave also has quite a number of<br />

glowworm colonies and visitors can get close<br />

up views of the ‘tentacles’ that the glowworm<br />

uses to ensnare its prey (see picture below).<br />

The glowworms are much closer to you in this<br />

cave than those in the original Glowworm Cave.<br />

Pathways are lit by small ground-level lights<br />

and major formations are brightly illuminated.<br />

Photography is welcome, although no flash<br />

can be used. At one point we ventured forth<br />

without any light to gain the experience of<br />

what the caves are like in the dark. We slowly<br />

walked forward down the dark path not being<br />

able to see one foot in front of us. Spooky!<br />

We came to a point in the cave where we could<br />

see and hear people laughing and screaming<br />

on inner-tubes drifting down the cave river<br />

below and crazy abseilers scaling the rock walls<br />

around us. For hardcore adventurers, this must<br />

be an experience of a lifetime for them!<br />

After the tour of the Ruakuri Cave was over we<br />

returned to the visitor centre and had time to<br />

relax and have a drink and a bite to eat before<br />

the 2-hour bus ride back to Rotorua.<br />

Visiting the Waitomo Caves was a pleasant,<br />

enjoyable and memorable day that I highly<br />

recommend to anyone coming to this area.<br />

Arachnocampa Luminosa larvae are predatory and<br />

use their lights to lure prey into their sticky webs.<br />

Natures magnificent stalagmite and stalactite formations inside the<br />

Ruakuri cave network have taken hundreds of years to form.<br />

8 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


If people have their<br />

own car, a visit to the<br />

Waitomo Caves makes a<br />

lovely day trip.<br />

For guests staying at <strong>Guysers</strong><br />

Gaystay who are without a car,<br />

Mike and Peter will gladly arrange a tour bus<br />

company to take you there and bring you<br />

back (a door-to-door service too!). The friendly<br />

and efficient bus driver provides informative<br />

commentary about sights along the way.<br />

Whether you are driving yourself or taking the<br />

bus tour as I did, advanced reservations are<br />

essential (on the day I went, the Ruakuri Cave<br />

tours were sold out and people were being<br />

turned away, so do pre-book). q<br />

for more information<br />

For more information, current prices or to<br />

pre-book Waitomo bus tours if staying with<br />

us at <strong>Guysers</strong> Gaystay, please visit:<br />

https://guysersgaystay.com/tours.html<br />

For adrenalin junkies Waitomo has three ultimate cave experiences<br />

offering abseiling, ziplining, rope climbing and inner-tubing.<br />

The original Waitomo Black Water Rafting Adventure has you<br />

exploring and tubing through the mysterious Ruakuri Cave.<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 9


Rainbow Mountain<br />

Scenic Reserve<br />

The mountain<br />

with a nipple!<br />

Rainbow Mountain (Maungakakaramea, meaning ‘mountain of coloured<br />

earth’), is one of the great free walks in the Rotorua district. The 1.5 hour<br />

climb to the summit rewards you with a spectacular 360-degree view of Rotorua’s surrounding<br />

lakes, forests and mountains. Alternatively you can take the shorter 15-minute walk<br />

to the eggshell blue crater lake.<br />

If it’s a warm day you’ll<br />

want to shed some clothing<br />

as you’ll work up a sweat<br />

walking to the summit.<br />

q<br />

10 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


Rainbow Mountain lies 26 km south-east of<br />

Rotorua, beside the Rotorua-Taupo highway<br />

(SH5). Approaching from Rotorua the gravel<br />

carpark is located just past the turnoff for<br />

SH38, on the left-hand side of the road.<br />

The mountain top has an unusual rounded<br />

nipple shape, known as Tihi-o-Rua – ‘the owl’s<br />

perch’. More appropriately it should have the<br />

nickname ‘Titty Mountain’ (you’ll see why!).<br />

From the carpark on SH5, follow the signs to<br />

the crater lakes lookout.<br />

Crater Lakes Walk<br />

The Crater Lakes Walk offers great views of<br />

two volcanic craters set against a backdrop of<br />

rugged brown, orange and red steaming cliffs.<br />

This walk takes just 15 minutes (one way) to<br />

reach the viewing platform where you can<br />

admire the stunning blue crater lakes and the<br />

near-vertical volcanic cliff face and hear the<br />

hiss of the simmering pools of water below.<br />

Although Rainbow Mountain had a very<br />

volcanic past it has cooled over recent years,<br />

allowing the native vegetation to slowly begin<br />

regenerating. Some plant species found on the<br />

mountain are very rare and grow only in<br />

geothermal areas such as this.<br />

Continued over...<br />

The viewing platform<br />

overlooking the eggshell<br />

blue crater lake.<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 11


Continued...<br />

The Summit Track<br />

The 2.5km track to the summit takes you<br />

upward through a variety of native bush,<br />

bare ridges and volcanic areas with sulphur<br />

crystal deposits and steaming cliffs. You’ll see<br />

regular views of the crater lakes below and<br />

surrounding countryside along the way.<br />

The final part of the track emerges onto the<br />

dirt and gravel summit road which will take<br />

you the remainder of the way to the top.<br />

(Note, the last few hundred meters of the track<br />

is quite steep so you’ll need a rest to catch your<br />

breath and at the top! Take some food and<br />

drink with you as you’ll be needing it).<br />

From the summit you’ll have spectacular views<br />

of Mt Tarawera, Lakes Tarawera, Rotomahana,<br />

Okaro and Rerewhakaaitu to the north. Look<br />

south to see Lake Taupo and the fantastic<br />

volcano Mt Tongariro plus other<br />

landmarks.<br />

The summit provides a nice flat picnic area to<br />

take in the views, or for a slightly better view,<br />

ask the man in the fire-watch tower nicely and<br />

he’ll invite you up for a view from the deck<br />

(if he happens to be in there).<br />

The track to the summit requires a good level<br />

of fitness. You’ll need to wear sturdy boots/<br />

shoes, and bring with you layers of clothing as<br />

it can be cool and windy at the summit.q<br />

for more information<br />

For more information on Rainbow Mountain<br />

and the walking tracks, visit:<br />

www.doc.govt.nz<br />

and type in "Rainbow Mountain"<br />

into the search bar.<br />

On the way up to the<br />

summit you’ll pass areas<br />

where the ground is<br />

clearly active underneath.<br />

View from a safe distance!<br />

12 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


The red/orange cliff face<br />

gently steams away<br />

above the crater lake.<br />

Catch your breath while<br />

taking in the stunning<br />

scenery from the summit<br />

of Rainbow Mountain.<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 13


Continued...<br />

Tourism History<br />

Rotorua’s<br />

explosive forces<br />

Hydrothermal explosions occur when superheated water trapped below the surface<br />

of the earth rapidly converts from liquid to steam, violently ‘erupting’. Boiling water,<br />

steam, mud, and rock fragments called breccia are ejected over an area of a few<br />

meters up to several kilometres in diameter. The following are some examples that<br />

have occurred in and around the Rotorua district between 1900 and present day.<br />

Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/<br />

photograph/15044/waimangu-geyser<br />

1900<br />

Waimangu<br />

The Waimangu (‘black water’) geyser was the largest geyser recorded<br />

anywhere in the world, erupting between 1900 and 1904.<br />

The geyser’s life was brief and spectacular. Eruptions of muddy water<br />

and large rocks to heights of 150 metres were common, and there were<br />

occasional super-eruptions to the remarkable height of 460 metres<br />

(for reference: the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower is about 330 metres<br />

above street level).<br />

Throughout 1903, the geyser increased in activity (see picture), and<br />

increasing numbers of visitors flocked to see the spectacle. However,<br />

a tragic event occurred that year: four tourists ventured closer to get a<br />

better view, but were swept away and killed by a sudden eruption.<br />

By November 1904 activity of the geyser had suddenly stopped.<br />

14 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


Image: GNS Science<br />

1980<br />

The<br />

KUIRAU PARK<br />

closure of many domestic thermal bores in Rotorua (with the aim<br />

of restoring the strength of the suffering Pohutu Geyser) saw once<br />

previously dried up springs in Kuirau Park fill up with water again,<br />

and as seen in the above example a sudden release of energy in the<br />

form of a hydrothermal eruption ejecting water, mud and steam.<br />

Image: GNS Science<br />

2000<br />

On<br />

TareWA ROAD<br />

18th September 2000, a spring erupted just off Tarewa Road<br />

on the western fringe of Kuirau Park, producing waves and surges.<br />

The eruption occurred on private land and may have been caused by<br />

the removal of a clothesline pole and anchoring concrete block three<br />

days earlier. Four houses nearest the spring had to be demolished.<br />

SUPPLIED VIA ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY,<br />

REFERENCE PACOLL-0339-01)<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

Continued over...<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 15


Continued...<br />

Continued...<br />

2001<br />

KUIRAU PARK<br />

A hydrothermal eruption occurred at Kuirau Park in Rotorua on 26th<br />

January 2001. This was the largest hydrothermal eruption since 1966.<br />

A hot muddy pool 3 metres in diameter was the source of the eruption.<br />

Blocks and ejecta were thrown 100 metres high and 1 metre diameter<br />

blocks were thrown 50 metres away. Miraculously no one was injured<br />

considering the eruption occurred mid-afternoon.<br />

Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, www.TeAra.govt.nz/<br />

en/photograph/6503/hydrothermal-eruption-at-reporoa-2005<br />

2005<br />

A<br />

REPOROA<br />

large unexpected hydrothermal eruption on 19 April 2005 left a<br />

50-metre-wide crater in a scenic reserve at Reporoa. A column of<br />

steam, mud and rocks was ejected 200 metres into the air. Farmer<br />

Phil Morgan said “The cows saw it first and bolted up the paddock.<br />

I wondered what was up, then I saw it myself. I got covered in fine ash”.<br />

16 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


2016<br />

In<br />

OHINEMUTU<br />

November 2016 a hydrothermal eruption occurred on the lake edge<br />

at Ohinemutu where local residents were woken at 4:00am to the sound<br />

of water shooting 20 to 30 metres into the air and splashing down<br />

again. Two days later a smaller sized hydrothermal eruption occurred in<br />

the same spot (pictured). Rotorua Lakes Council geothermal inspector<br />

said the eruption was like a cap blowing off a well<br />

shaken bottle of fizzy drink. q<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 17


Shopping<br />

Satisfy your sweet tooth<br />

At the top of Skyline complex in Rotorua is the Jelly Belly Store and Gallery. The huge<br />

selection of gourmet flavoured jelly beans is sure to bring out the child in all of us.<br />

Jelly Belly Store<br />

The store has around 100 different delicious<br />

flavours of jelly beans, with an entire wall of<br />

Pick 'n Mix beans to choose from. The jelly beans<br />

come in every colour of the rainbow and the<br />

flavours are very realistic. You can choose 20<br />

small packets from the clear vertical cylinders<br />

that line the wall to fill your own gift box or you<br />

can purchase pre-packaged gift packs.<br />

Try creating your own unique flavour by eating<br />

2 jelly beans at once, eg, banana and chocolate,<br />

pineapple and coconut, cinnamon and apple,<br />

Dr Pepper and cherry, to name a few examples.<br />

The Jelly Belly Store and Gallery is proof that we<br />

are all kids at heart!<br />

If you’re a big kid who loves cocktails the<br />

Jelly Belly Cocktail Classics Gift Box is sure<br />

to please. This box contains Pina Colada,<br />

Strawberry Daiquiri, Mojito, Peach Bellini<br />

and Pomegranate Cosmo.<br />

18 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


One wall in the Jelly Belly Store and Gallery<br />

features artworks painstakingly and<br />

cleverly created entirely out of jelly beans!<br />

See a replica of Leonardo da Vinci’s<br />

Mona Lisa, a portrait of Harry Potter and<br />

Van Gogh’s The Starry Night (see above)<br />

which boasts over 11,500 beans!<br />

Bean Boozled<br />

It’s a daring game which involves spinning<br />

a wheel to select a bean. For each jelly bean<br />

colour on the wheel there are two possible<br />

flavours – one delicious flavour and one<br />

that’ll leave a bad taste in your mouth.<br />

The catch is you can’t tell which bean is<br />

good or bad until you taste it!<br />

You could be trying strawberry jam, peach,<br />

juicy pear, chocolate pudding and caramel<br />

corn (yum!) or dog food, vomit, rotten egg,<br />

booger or baby wipes (yuk!).<br />

These beans may look alike but they could<br />

not taste more different from each other. q<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 19


What to shop for in Rotorua<br />

Once upon a time visitors to Rotorua would purchase tacky plastic Tiki’s or Maori dolls<br />

(that were actually made in China!). Things have moved on a lot since those days.<br />

Now Rotorua offers a range of quality shops and unique products, some of which are<br />

made in Rotorua. Here are a few suggestions on what you can purchase here in Rotorua.<br />

Handmade cushions made here in<br />

Rotorua by Hayley Burnett. Designs<br />

include feathers, skulls, birds and Tiki’s<br />

all lovingly embroidered.<br />

Helium, 1283 Tutanekai St, Rotorua<br />

Icebreaker Anatomica Briefs are stylish,<br />

comfortable and give great support. They<br />

come in a range of colours and are made<br />

from 83% merino, 12% nylon / 5% lycra.<br />

Outdoorsman, 6 Tarawera Rd, Rotorua<br />

New Zealand possum fibre is one of<br />

the finest and softest fibres that nature<br />

produces. Blended with merino wool gives<br />

garments warmth and strength.<br />

Shop for hats, gloves and scarves at:<br />

Woollen Mill shop, Agrodome, Rotorua<br />

Rotorua-based Croucher Brewing produce<br />

a range of award-winner craft beers you<br />

are sure to love. Try a tasting flight at the<br />

Brew Bar on Eat Streat or purchase a few<br />

packs to enjoy with friends, available from:<br />

Liquor King, 244 Fenton St, Rotorua<br />

20 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


David Trubridge is a furniture and<br />

lighting designer based in Whakatu,<br />

New Zealand. His work has become<br />

widely celebrated for its innovative,<br />

environmentally sensitive qualities.<br />

His fascination with nature has led<br />

him to develop collections which are<br />

inspired by flora, fauna and formations<br />

within the landscape. The sculptural<br />

light shades are sold as a kitset giving<br />

the product’s construction process<br />

emotional worth. David Trubridge<br />

lights are available from the iNZspired<br />

store at the top of Skyline, Rotorua.<br />

iNZpired Store, 178 Fairy Springs Rd<br />

Rotorua’s Volcanic Hills Wines takes grapes<br />

from the best wine growing regions in<br />

New Zealand and produces a range of<br />

gorgeous wines. Purchase from their<br />

Tasting Room at the top of the gondola.<br />

VH Wines, 176 Fairy Springs Rd, Rotorua<br />

At <strong>Guysers</strong> Gaystay we now sell the Pure<br />

Source range of Rotorua Thermal Mud<br />

products. The Mud Mask containing<br />

Rotorua mud, Aloe Vera, Almond Oil and<br />

Manuka Honey cleanses and soothes the<br />

skin. The Facial Scrub exfoliates and draws<br />

impurities and excess oils from the skin,<br />

and the Heat Rub makes an intense an<br />

warming massage rub for the body.<br />

Available from us at <strong>Guysers</strong> Gaystay<br />

Rotorua glass blower<br />

Ron van der Vlugt captures the<br />

shifting qualities of light and<br />

colour as the glass moves from<br />

a glowing, flowing, molten state<br />

into a cool, hard, solid shape<br />

relying on the natural forces of<br />

gravity and spinning to shape it.<br />

de Flute Glass, 153 Fairy<br />

Springs Rd, Rotorua<br />

Continued over...<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 21


Continued...<br />

Riding a bicycle just got easier with the<br />

New Zealand designed Volto range of<br />

electric-assisted bikes. With powerful<br />

300W motors and a range of up to 90km<br />

(depending on terrain) you’ll love getting<br />

around on these. 4 models to choose from.<br />

Electric Bike, 1265 Fenton St, Rotorua<br />

Arataki Honey is New Zealand’s No.1<br />

honey producer. The Rotorua division is a<br />

great place to stock up on their delicious<br />

range of quality honey’s including the<br />

world famous Manukua Honey.<br />

Benny Bees, Waiotapu, SH 5, Rotorua<br />

Taste pure New Zealand water from<br />

Te Waireka spring. Scientific testing<br />

showed the water from Te Waireka spring<br />

to be of a very high quality with excellent<br />

mineral contents. Paradise Pure Spring<br />

Water is bottled on site and sold at the<br />

Paradise Valley Springs shop.<br />

467 Paradise Valley Rd, Rotorua<br />

Rotorua Potter Gareth Andrews makes<br />

work that is full of earthy and rustic<br />

character. The objects he creates, such<br />

as mugs, flasks, vases and bowls, have a<br />

specific and beautiful charm.<br />

Helium, 1283 Tutanekai St, Rotorua<br />

22 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


Examples:<br />

Teapot<br />

David Bowie<br />

NZ Artist Mark Rayner made news headlines with his nude<br />

latch hook rug depictions of ex-Prime Minister John Key,<br />

Prince Harry and a rather hung Labour Leader, Andrew Little.<br />

Mark’s glazed plates, teapots and figurines are a modern<br />

and playful take on the grotesque; a style characterised by<br />

exaggeration, the fantastic and sometimes the absurd.<br />

Helium Gallery in Rotorua have a range of Mark Rayner’s<br />

works on display. Check in store for current works on sale.<br />

Helium, 1283 Tutanekai St, Rotorua<br />

Treat yourself or a partner to a New<br />

Zealand greenstone (pounamu) necklace<br />

handcrafted in store at Mountain Jade.<br />

Mountain Jade, 1288 Fenton St, Rotorua<br />

The multi-award winning Mamaku Blue<br />

‘Blueberry Experience’ & Winery is located<br />

just 12 minutes north of the Agrodome,<br />

Rotorua. The blueberries they grow here<br />

are used to produce wines, liqueur, pure<br />

juice, jams, jelly, sauces, chocolates and<br />

real fruit ice cream.<br />

311 Maraeroa Rd, Mamaku, Rotorua<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 23


Events<br />

RAGS on Wednesdays<br />

‘RAGS’ stands for ‘Rotorua Area Gay Society’ – a weekly gay mens social group that is<br />

proving to be a popular evening out with local residence and visitors alike.<br />

Rotorua’s RAGS group reformed in October<br />

2016. It started with a small group of guys who<br />

began meeting on Wednesday evenings for<br />

a drink. Over a short period of time, and by<br />

word of mouth, RAGS has steadily increased<br />

to around 20 locals with usual attendees of<br />

around 14 guys as well as international<br />

tourists joining us from time to time.<br />

The RAGS group meets every Wednesday<br />

evening from 5pm at a selected bar for a<br />

few drinks followed by dinner at a local<br />

restaurant for those that wish to partake<br />

in a meal.<br />

24 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


The bar and restaurant changes each week<br />

to provide variety. Where we go for dinner is<br />

usually discussed and chosen on the night.<br />

The RAGS group is still evolving and ideas<br />

for future get-togethers have included home<br />

BBQs/Pot Luck dinners and Ten Pin Bowling at<br />

Rotorua’s new Motion Entertainment complex.<br />

RAGS provides the opportunity to socialise and<br />

network with a group of local guys and make<br />

new and lasting friendships.<br />

Gay Rotorua locals, NZ visitors to Rotorua and<br />

international tourists are most welcome to join<br />

us for our weekly RAGS social get-together. q<br />

CONTACT<br />

To attend ‘RAGS on Wednesdays’ please<br />

email info@gayrotorua.com with your<br />

name and mobile number and you’ll be<br />

contacted with details for that week.<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 25


Health<br />

26 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


NUDE YOGA<br />

Everyone has heard of yoga and many of you already practice it on a regular basis whether<br />

at a group class session or in the privacy of your own home. But are there any added benefits<br />

of practicing yoga in the nude?<br />

Naked yoga first started in India were members<br />

would undress themselves both physically and<br />

spiritually from all material possessions, sexual<br />

desires and anything physical in this world.<br />

Naked yoga then travelled to Europe through<br />

naturist movements in Germany, Switzerland<br />

and North America. In more recent times nude<br />

yoga classes have been catering for distinctive<br />

audiences (all male classes, all women, mixedsex<br />

or classes specifically for gay men). Nude<br />

yoga classes are also here in New Zealand now.<br />

One person famous for the promotion of<br />

naked yoga in the West is Aaron Star, owner<br />

of Hot Nude Yoga, offering nude yoga classes<br />

and a range of nude yoga DVDs. He began his<br />

version of nude yoga in April 2001 becoming<br />

an instant underground sensation. Because<br />

of the success of Hot Nude Yoga, nude yoga<br />

groups began to blossom all over the world,<br />

from London, Moscow, Madrid to Sydney.<br />

Many of these male-only naked yoga groups<br />

have been associated with the gay community,<br />

though often not intentionally.<br />

You can purchase the Hot Nude<br />

Yoga DVDs from Amazon.<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

What are the benefits of nude yoga?.<br />

Nude yoga helps you discover an entirely new<br />

way of looking at your own body, inspiring<br />

you to take pride and pleasure in your unique<br />

physique and capabilities.<br />

It teaches you to embrace your imperfections<br />

and open your heart to yourself and to the<br />

world with courage and confidence.<br />

When you practice yoga in the nude you’ll<br />

have total freedom. You may also feel free by<br />

liberating yourself from the social restraints<br />

against nudity.<br />

Body and body image acceptance plays a big<br />

part in one’s self-esteem which is often hard to<br />

achieve when society is full of photoshopped<br />

images of non-real bodies that society calls<br />

beauty. Nude yoga is about knowing, accepting<br />

and loving yourself at your core.<br />

Feelings of embarrassment and shame are<br />

socially constructed emotions. By practicing<br />

nude yoga you’ll learn to let go of those<br />

negative emotions.<br />

When you’re fully clothed your skin is restricted<br />

from breathing. Being nude while doing yoga<br />

gives your skin a chance to sweat out body<br />

toxins and breathe freely.<br />

While naked yoga in its true form has little to<br />

do with society’s preconceived notions of sex<br />

or eroticism, make no mistake: naked yoga is<br />

sexy. It’s the sort of sexy that comes from inside,<br />

when someone feels authentically connected,<br />

confident, and alive. Naked yoga gives people<br />

permission to feel joyful and radiant in their<br />

own skin.<br />

Continued over...<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 27


Continued...<br />

Here are a few common yoga poses for you to try<br />

BOUND ANGLE<br />

SPINAL TWIST<br />

Provides an excellent stretch for the groin<br />

muscles, increases suppleness in the tendons,<br />

knees and hips and improves posture.<br />

Massages lower abdominal organs, stretches<br />

the spine and nerves correcting stiffness in the<br />

neck and helps with elimination.<br />

CHAIR<br />

FULL SHOULDERSTAND<br />

Strengthens the Achilles tendons, ankles and<br />

thigh muscles, stretches the back of the legs<br />

and calves and energizes the entire body.<br />

Improves blood flow to the brain, stimulates<br />

the thyroid, promotes calm and serenity and<br />

nourishes the complexion.<br />

28 <strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017


Nude yoga helps to battle stress, will boost your self-esteem and deals with lowering anxiety.<br />

To prevent negative feelings from overpowering our lives, practice nude yoga with nature as<br />

your setting. Nude yoga gives you the benefit of practicing this form of exercise freely.<br />

CHILD<br />

KNEE HUG<br />

Completely refreshes the back and spine,<br />

massages the inner organs, rejuvenates the body<br />

and promotes a sense of security and nurturing.<br />

Stretches the lower back muscles, massages<br />

the entire back and lower abdominal organs<br />

and restores energy throughout the body.<br />

CAT & DOG STRETCH<br />

HEADSTAND<br />

Improves circulation and stretches the muscles<br />

along the back, neck and arms. Increases<br />

suppleness along the spine.<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

Improves blood flow to the eyes, head and<br />

scalp, increases focus, improves digestion and<br />

strengthens arms and shoulders.<br />

Continued over...<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 29


<strong>Guysers</strong> Gaystay in Rotorua has<br />

a private garden setting where<br />

you can enjoy practicing yoga.<br />

What to bring:<br />

• A yoga mat<br />

• Sunscreen<br />

• and a smile<br />

Gaystay<br />

If you need help achieving<br />

various yoga poses, we have<br />

50 illustrative yoga cards<br />

with instructions on how to<br />

do the poses correctly.<br />

30 Kiwi Experience GoNaked New Zealand Magazine<br />

Issue 10 • Autumn 2017<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong>


SPUNK<br />

Lube<br />

Hybrid<br />

SPUNK Lube Hybrid is<br />

a water based hybrid<br />

lube that resembles the<br />

look and feel of natural<br />

lubrication. It’s white and<br />

creamy - just like cum,<br />

and feels unlike any other<br />

lubricant available.<br />

SPUNK Lube Hybrid is safe<br />

to use with all sex toys and<br />

condoms. It’s non-staining<br />

and reactivates with<br />

water or saliva. SPUNK<br />

Lube Hybrid contains the<br />

perfect blend of water<br />

and silicone.<br />

It’s smooth and slick and<br />

not sticky or messy. It’s the<br />

perfect all- round personal<br />

lubricant for any occasion.<br />

SPUNK Lube Hybrid<br />

uses the highest quality<br />

ingredients and will leave<br />

your skin feeling soft and<br />

conditioned.<br />

Orders within New Zealand<br />

are available from us at<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> Gaystay<br />

enquiries@guysersgaystay.com<br />

Postal charge is additional.<br />

q<br />

q<br />

236 ml<br />

NZ$29<br />

guysersgaystay.com<br />

Kiwi Experience Bus, New Zealand<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong> 31


Hosted homestay for men<br />

RotoRua City • New ZealaNd<br />

Your ‘home away from home’<br />

https://guysersgaystay.com<br />

www.gaystay.co.nz<br />

Oh! Naturist is dedicated to nature and<br />

naturism. More than 6,400 naturist friends<br />

from more than 100 countries meet, exchange<br />

and share experiences across the planet.<br />

Oh! Naturist is truly multicultural and<br />

multilingual (English, French, Italian, German,<br />

Dutch, Bulgarian, Russian, Chinese), created<br />

by true lovers of nature and naturism who<br />

actively practice and promote the naturist<br />

lifestyle and its ethics.<br />

The site is, and always will be free, to guarantee<br />

its independence, its quality and, most<br />

importantly, its friendly atmosphere.<br />

ohnaturist.com<br />

<strong>Guysers</strong> <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

32 Nudist, Naturist, Naturism, Gay, Naked, GoNaked Issue 10 • Autumn 2017

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!