It's a small geothermal world

---

August 6, 2007
This morning we woke up early again for the Huka Falls jet boat. The weather, as it has been for the past couple of days was hit and miss, with mostly rain and chilly temperatures. It was a nice blue sky on our way to the falls. Once we checked in and got on the boat, it had started to rain. It was only me and Mark on the boat, so we were able to do some more spins. The jet boat was so much fun. Our driver was great fun, and took a video of us with Mark’s cell phone. The boat went so fast so the rain and coldness of the rain made our face frozen, Botox for the morning.
After the boat we defrosted on the way to Wai-O-Tapu. (sacred water). It is about 30 minutes north of Taupo. Wai-O-Tapu is a volcanic area where you can walk around and through geothermal activity. It started to rain pretty hard half way through our walk, but it was still an amazing place to see. The colors of the rock and the water were unbelievable and the pictures don’t do it justice. There were pools of boiling mud, which splattered up to get our camera. (Our camera has been through a lot). Great sight to see. Since it was cold and we were soaking after our walk we decided to take advantage of the café and have a coffee. (I’ve learned to order a long black with cold milk so I can just have a coffee, nothing special) As we were sitting there, I hear Mark say, “Hi Dave!” I turn to see Dave Adams and his family. Dave worked with Mark in the states and they are on their way home to England as well. Small world. It was great to sit and chat with them, and as always, a pleasure to see them. We also learned that we might see them along the way as well.
I’m typing this in the car on the way to Napier, so the rest of today will be another blog. Guess what, it stopped raining, for now. 

---

Photos

Huka Falls
This is not a picture of our boat. It was not sunny nor warm. We were also the only ones on there. Only picture I have right now. Sorry

Devils Den
At the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park

A Tree
Just thought it was pretty

Water
Um, can't remember why the water is differnt colors. Something with sulfur and other earth things.

more water
I was getting carried away, the pictures don't do it justice

even more water
ohhh pretty

Mark and I
We are starting to get ok at taking pictures of ourselves. (this one was a keeper after 5 bad ones ..hehe)

Mark and I
A geyser that goes off. we missed it

Oyster
I think this was the name, again it was cold and rainy. fast walking.

The drenched couple
Some stupid girl took the picture. the backround is stunning, unfortunately she wasn't bright enough to get the backround. We were on a cliff overlooking crazy colored water.

water
It looks like Shrek's kind of pool.

The Adams
Running into Dave, Laura, Billy and Thomas.

Mud Bath
Relaxing in the Mud Baths.

Boiling Mud
Ouch

Boiling Mud
Plop