Opinion: Snow turns us all into big kids

Hannah Bennett in Mamaku. Photo/Supplied

If there's one thing bound to turn us all into big kids, it's the appearance of snow - or something vaguely resembling it.

That white stuff that fell in the Rotorua CBD yesterday was the real stuff, I swear. Even if it was brief, and fleeting, it was snow. In the CBD!

It was enough to draw people out of offices and shops, all standing with phones in hand to record the occasion. Facebook was swamped with excited status updates, videos and photos and a shout-out for readers' pictures saw us inundated with gorgeous photos of children experiencing their first snow - some looking more impressed than others.

On Hinemoa St a couple of bemused tourists took in the grown ups jumping around with their hands in the air, smiling when told this was not something that happened very often in our city.

It was a welcome distraction from the day for those in the city but it was a little further afield - in places like Mamaku, Waikite Valley, Ngakuru and Waimangu - where the real action took place.

Thick snow carpeted the ground, much to the delight of locals. School holiday fun doesn't get much better than making snowmen and having snowball fights.

For some in our region and around the country, the wintry weather played havoc with travel plans and no doubt created problems for those working outdoors. For their sake, we hope the weather gods are on their side heading into the weekend.

But, heck it was fun while it lasted wasn't it?

If you don't believe me - check out our website at rotoruadailypost.co.nz. Our photographers Stephen Parker and Ben Fraser captured some gorgeous images yesterday, while we have also shared readers' photos.

If they don't put a smile on your face on this cold winter's day, I don't know what will.