Geothermal Activity of Rotorua

25 October 2005:
I think I left off the last post, we were in limbo for plans for the rest of our day. We ended up taking a city bus outside of town along Lake Rotorua, and did a short hike up to some falls. It is a class V river where one of the tourist events is to take rafting trips down this stretch of river and over several waterfalls. We saw one of these trips about to head down the river and spoke with the chaps for a while and were assured we had plenty of time to get to the falls before they did. So we hustled no down the trail, but the signage was poor and we were confused as to which set of falls and ended up missing the raft. Lovely hike though, and on the way back we did see a bunch of kaykers take the tumble. Then we got caught in a huge thunderstorm while waiting for the bus. It was gone within half an hour.

26 October 2005:
Today was geothermal day. We went through two different parks, both magnificent. Lots of activity, steaming pools, bubbling mud, spurting water, 74 degree Celsius lakes, amazing colors from all the different minerals, and the lovely smell of sulfur. The first park was called Wai-tapu, and was a bit crowded as everyone heads here after the 10:15 showing of the big geyser (that they coax to life with a bag of soap dumped down the hatch). The walk along this park was shorter, but it had the more dramatic colors. Here's me in front of Champagne Lake:


The second park was called Waiamungu (probably not spelling that right), and it was a much larger park with a much longer walk through more greenery and with more panaromic view of the entire park and the volcano that caused all these pools to form. The eruption was in 1886 and they tout the area as the largest geothermal activity in the world to occur within a known/written history. The most dramatic in this park was coming up on the Inferno Crater Lake. Amazing color and contrast with the rocks. Looks inviting for a swim, but the temp of this lake is 80 Celsius (176 F)


Such a pretty and unique area to be able to walk around in. Beautiful lush forests, interesting streams, lakes and rocks and steam rising from everywhere - not just from the lakes, but from right out the side of cliffs, coming up through the trees. This picture was trying to capture that view.


27 October 2005:
So now we're back at the visitor's center waiting for our bus. We're heading to National Park (yes that's the name of the city) in the central part of the North Island. Can't remember the name of the park and don't want to waste precious internet time searching. Will give details later, but we're set to do what is touted as the "Best Day Hike in NZ" tomorrow. A long and gruelling one, but supposedly worth it. Looks like the weather is going to cooperate as well.

Wanted to end with some random thoughts/observations about our traveling in general and specific discoveries about traveling in Kiwi land:
* Coffee. Can't find a cheap cup of Jo anywhere. It's a cappachino or nothing, and that is usually $4. Sometimes it's a decent size cup, but usually not. Can't find a regular drip here. It's about the experience not the beverage apparently.
*Emily is much better at asking questions of anyone she comes across rather than speculating, and Keith is much better at reading maps, and getting a sense of direction about the town.
*I"m tired of wearing the same clothes all the time!! (and it's only been a week!)
*Distances of trails are expressed in minutes rather than km or miles.
*They don't refrigerate their eggs here.
*Spending money is hard when you're not making any.
*NZ is not a very dog friendly place - at least if you want to take them anywhere outside of your home.
*They raise deer on farms (and they don't look very healthy...scraggley hair)
*Hostelling is a very commercialized industry - we've been shocked at the prices, but pleased with the facilities - quite a range of folks use them.