The Champagne Pool and Luging

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Day 7

We decided to go and visit one of the most colurful thermal parks in Rotorua - Wai-O-Tapu. The park itself was fantastic, they had bubbling ponds of boiling water and bubbling mud waterfalls, bright blue lakes, lime green lakes and the champagne pool which was a blue lake with a bright orange rim. Unfortunatley the photos don't really do it justice as it was a bit overcast and there was alot of steam coming out of the various pools which obscures the views slightly. After our thermal fix we headed up a big hill on the skyline gondala to try out our luging skills. This involves sitting in some kind of low rider cart and screeching down the hill on concrete race courses. Tom was determined to start behind me each time and to overtake as you can see through the gritty determination on his face in the picture. This did mean that whilst on the beginner course and trying to defend my race position i nearly took out an older lady that was poodling along. Tom finally had his come-uppence on the advanced course - where he swears he stopped to take a photo, but i maintain he skidded of the course therefore leaving me as winner!

Day 8

Feeling quite bereft of adrenaline we decided to book ourselves onto a White Water Rafting trip that would take us over the highest commercially raftable waterfall in the world weighing in at a mere 7 metres. At the time i think both of us were absolutely terrified but now every time a massive waterfall is mentioned i think we secretly believe we can raft that - bring on Nepal! Anyway once we were all geared up to go and given too many saftey instructions to remember, we set off. Tom rowing far harder than the other side put togother, we began by going in circles. Once Tom eased off a bit we made our way down the first couple of waterfalls before arriving at the big one - at which point we were told 50% of rafts will flip upside down and if your stuck under the waterfall curl into a ball and hopefully it won't keep you under it for too long. Reassuring. The drop itself wasn't too bad, but it did take a minute or so too realise that we weren't drowning, hadn't capsized and were generally all intact - apart from the girl that had her head stuck in the corner of the raft. After that we went down numerous rapids some in the boat, some under the boat - which was possibly more fun! And saw some amazing scenery. Definately going to be doing some more white water rafting or black water rafting next time!

After this we headed back to Betty, bought more fish and chips before heading on to Lake Taupo.

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Comments

[Dawn Graham]

Adrenaline overdose!
Can't believe that you rafted over a 7m waterfall - I'm glad I didn't know about your plans before you did it! Having said that, you could probably do some white water rafting in Cockermouth at the moment, though the submerged cars may be a bit of a hazard! Tom - You must admit that a 20m diameter tree is a much more impressive stat! I now think that the vegatation is pretty tame in NZ whereas before I had an image of the walking trees from Lord of the Rings!! Sounds like you're having a fantastic time and I'm loving the blog. Stay safe both, Mum xxx

[ash]

A very entertaining read on my lunch break dears. Have been trying to stifle my laughter at the pic of rach in your little car, very funny. A woman in my office just saw the pics and got excited because she has been there too (and cracked her head open on the concrete!) Looks absolutely beautiful and i hope Betty is looking after you both. Flights all booked so will speak to you soon. Have fun kiddos! Love you both lots xxx

[Andrew & Val]

Paddling??
After all the moaning about how hard it had been paddling a canoe across a lake in Cumbria a few months ago, I now read about this prowess and power with the paddle! Call me a sceptic but I suspect 'the other side' were a bunch of Girl Guides... ;) Anyway, nice to read about and see in pictures what you are both up to. Keep it coming and enjoy yourselves... xx