Sulphurous Moments in Rotorua

Well today is Dads Birthday I hope someone remembered........ I didn't sadly. Matt may have because he rang on the mobile..........hoping that is the case.


I woke Phil up this morning earlier than usual because he wanted to go to the thermal wonderland.... and although he didn't sleep well he got up anyway so we could see the Lady Knox Geyser. So will another hundred or o people we braved that chilly Rotorua weather and set off at 9.3-0am or so.


I laughed when I saw the geyser. not because in itself it is funny, but because I went up to the place there are seats arranged like an auditorium around this innocuous white structure which is belching small amounts of steam. S0 finally the man got up and spoke abut the eruption. We were all wondering ab0ut the timing of the eruption..... and now we now why it is so easy to predict......... The man drops a surface humidificant (soap powder) down the hole and alters the surface tension and 10 minutes later there is a geyser!! I am not sure whether it is a disappointment or quite handy.


The geyser was pretty good anyway.

Then after the viewing of the geyser we had morning tea and then looked around this amazing park. We were not disappointed. there were amazing formations and colours, lakes and fumaroles, bubbling mud and fabulous colours of every shade - such an amazing place - that is for sure. We took heaps of photos.

Champagne Pool

Isn't this the most amazing colour - it is fluro green

Terraces

Then we went to the Rotorua Museum to enjoy their displays which were wonderful. The old baths inhabited the area and while they did not survive...... the museum now is able to look at this time. Fantastic.

The 0ther thing that I enjoyed reading about was the 28th Battalion which was a Maori battalion in the 2nd world war - what amazing people they were and they sang whenever they could.

For me the highlight of the day though was a visit to the Polynesian Baths where I enjoyed a sulphur spa bath and a massage after a mud pack. What luxury - and a treat after a hard day walking around and climbing hills and doing the tourism thing.

I cooked a stir fry tonight which was good and enjoyed a few glasses of NZ white I am ready to bed as we are off to New Plymouth tomorrow...... We have had an awesome time here in this thermal wonderland - so much to do and so much fun