Papamoa Beach and the White Island volcano

---

We arrived in Papamoa Beach on Wednesday evening, leaving behind the sulphourous Rotorua. We're staying at the parents of George's friend Mark in a fantastic beach side property designed and built by the owner.

We overlook the beach which is 2 minutes walk away. Unfortunately it's also the bay where the large container ship ran aground (we can see it from where we are staying) so the locals are very worried about the possibility of an oil spill.

Thursday morning saw us booking a boat trip to White Island from Whakatane, an hour up the coast from where we are staying. We just about made it in time (last on the boat) then set sail. It was an hour and a half to the island in fantastic weather. Once we got close it was like something from an alien movie. We transferred from the boat in a rubber dinghy onto the island then had a guided tour for over an hour and a half. The island is an active andesite stratovolcano (according to Wiki!). Before disembarking we were given compulsory hard hats to wear at all times and a gas mask. The hats did'nt come into use but at one point the gas mask came in very handy when a gust of wind enveloped us all in a gas cloud (more bloody stinking sulphur!!)

We got up very close to boiling mud pools and steaming vents as well as a crater with a lake 50x more corrosive than battery acid.

to be continued...

---

Photos

White Island 1
Island view