Our world tour Part 1

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12 October 2016

As we said in our note about yesterday, Rotorua is a volcanic area. In effect the cita sits within a giant crater, the crater of Mount Terawera, last in action in 1880 when it devastated the area.

Activity today existed in a 4 km geothermal valley walk in Waimangu, where we saw all related activities: geysers, mud pools, fumeroles and you name it. Fascinating!!

The weather nevertheless was less fascinating; it basically did not stop dripping, not a heavy rain, but a steady drissel. Temperatures around 16 C. Fortunately we could borrow a large umbrella, so damage was limited. The 2 hours walk, finishes with a cruise on a small boat that takes you around a lake that was formed during the last eruption. A lot of geothermal water ends up in the lake, but the temperature remains steady. Surprisingly enough, the lake has been turned into a bird sanctuary, with numerous species, amongst them black swans.

A noteworthy event was receiving a whatsapp voice message from Emma, to be extra careful so close to the volcano, because they are very dangerous!!! This after we sent Philip a picture from where we were. Emma and volcanos do not go together well.

It helps to know that due to technological control, these days eruption can be predicted with an anticipation of about two weeks. Sufficient for tourist, not so great if you live there.

In the evening we attended a maori cultural event in a maori village where they showed us the ways of living, cooking, dancing and warfare. This all followed by a succulent dinner. Very nice!

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