De-Stressing in Hanmer

Stress has been building up in my life (short-staffed at the office, looking for my next locums job, etc).  It was time for a mental health weekend.  I choose Hanmer Springs for my destination. It's a small tourist town inland from Christchurch, about 3.5 hours from Blenheim.  It's quite scenic and it's got some some extra special relaxation properties I will elaborate on later.

Since I was planning on relaxing and de-stressing, I made sure my hotel had awesome views.  Here's the view from my patio.

And here's the same view the next morning---a  crisp frost!  Winter is here for sure.

The town is small and everywhere is walkable.  They have several walking and biking tracks too, so I leisurely took a Saturday morning stroll up the Conical Hill Walkway.  Forest pines aplenty!

 At the top of Conical Hill, you get 360 degree views of the region.  Gorgeous day for a walk!

On the way down I headed onto another path--- the Majuba walkway.  In the tall green trees we stand!

I ended up walking onto another path--- The Woodland Walk Loop Track.  Check out the reflection!

The fresh air and tranquility did me well.  But the REAL reason people come to Hamner is for the Thermal Hot Pools!  The town is built around a hot spring that was discovered in the 19th century.   There is also a fault line in this region, so rainwater has fallen in the cracks and seeped into the earth.  The water is warmed by being so deep in the Earth.   It is pumped to the surface and that's how they fill the thermal pools!  

The Thermal Pool place is simply amazing.  Pay under 20 bucks and you get a day of pool hopping.  It's kind of like a relaxing water park full of varying temperature super-large hot tubs.  I felt bad taking pictures of people in their bathing suits, so I just took a picture of the map :)

My parents had so many questions about what it was like-- it's really hard to explain, you just have to see it!  A fellow pool-goer had a great analogy--- it's like the baths of Roman times.  It's outdoors--- and yes, it's the middle of winter, so you just walk (quickly!)  from one pool to another in your bathing suit.  They're all different temperatures, so if you're feeling too hot/cold, you move appropriately to another pool.  All of them are warm.  There are three extra warm sulphur pools with temps up to 42 deg C (that's 107 deg F!!).  Some of them have massage jets and massaging waterfalls as well.   AMAZING!   I bought a two day pass.  Day #1 I spent 4 hours there, and Day #2 a little over 3.  I was wrinkled like a raisin!  But very, very VERY relaxed.

The Pools also have a Spa/Salon on their property, so I treated myself to a Chocolate facial.  Yes, they paint warm liquid chocolate on your face, and YES you can taste it.   It. Was. Heavenly.

I came back from Hamner very refreshed and rejeuvenated and ready to face the "real world" again. :)