September 25 – Rotorua’s main claim to fame is its volcanic features, so today we explored one of these sites. Wai-O-Tapu is 18 square kilometers and has a number of thermal features including vents, fumaroles, boiling mud and colorful pools with names like Devil’s Bath, Champagne Pool and Artist’s Palette. It was like a mini Yellow Stone. The most prominent feature in the park is the Lady Knox Geyser that erupts at 10:15 every day (with a little help.) As nature is never this punctual, some surfactant is added to the cone and within a few minutes, off it goes shooting water (and some suds) high into the air! This trick of getting the geyser to erupt was first discovered by prisoners in the early 1900’s who used the vent to clean their clothes. The hot ... read more

September 22 – Our last day in Auckland was dreary, wet, and cold with a stiff breeze. Pat dropped us off at the rental car agency. Goodbyes are always hard but, in this case, we will get to meet again in another couple of weeks before we leave for Canada. I was very tired today and had a hard time keeping awake as David drove to Rotorua. (Perhaps it was the three glasses of wine I had last night – a lot for me.) I did wake from time to time as there were fierce downpours and stiff winds blowing much of the way. Later, we learned that there were power outages in much of Auckland after we left. It seems this kind of thing happens when we leave a place; Darwin also lost power for ... read more

September 20 – This morning we woke to gray skies and sheets of rain, so we decided that a trip to the Sydney Museum would be a good idea. This is a massive building that contains more displays than one could possibly do in one day, but we gave it a good go! Much of the displays on the first floor are dedicated to the Maori culture which are New Zealand’s indigenous people that came from Polynesia. There were many things about them that reminded me of the Hawaiians. We also went to a cultural performance which was just wonderful! The dancing and the harmonies of the music are beautiful and I wished I could have got up and joined them. In the afternoon, Pat’s friend, Mike picked us up and drove us to the west ... read more

September 19 - On our first morning in Auckland, we ate breakfast in Pat’s kitchen which is the best room in the house as it overlooks the lush green valley. The sun came and went this morning as it popped in and out between rain showers. After breakfast, Pat drove us to Cornwall Park which provides a retreat in the middle of the city. The park is also a working farm with cattle and sheep with their new-born lambs doting the hillsides. I felt like I was in a bucolic painting from the 1900’s. We drove to the summit in the park called One Tree Hill (or its Maori name, Maungakiekie) which is a 597 foot volcanic peak and allows one to see in all directions. We were able to see both the east and west ... read more

September 17 – Today we explored Sydney – a city that fairly oozes art, history, culture, and parks – just a feast for the senses!! We were fortunate that the skies had cleared and although a bit breezy, it was a lovely day. We had company on this day as well. Keith, one of David’s long-time colleagues from the University had arrived in Sydney the day before. (He had flew in to surprise his niece on her Grade 12 graduation - nice uncle!) Keith has been to Sydney several times, and knew a great deal about the city, so he became our unofficial tour guide. By days end, we hiked about 10 kms through the Botanical Gardens, Hyde Park, St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Sydney Museum, and of course, the Harbour. Both nights we had supper at ... read more