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After the wedding we headed north to do Roturua. On the way we stopped off to see boiling,glurping mud pools sitting beside the road, as they do- why people pay to see what is straight in front of them for free amazes me. We made a detour up a rough mountain roadside so that Sandy could go for a swim! At the wedding we had been told about a warm mountain stream where you can go swimming. Sandy slipped into a pool fed by a hot waterfall and lay there in bliss until the heat drove her out.- it amazes me why people pay to see .........! Meanwhile Brian got frozen and soaked to the skin watching Sandy enjoy herself! Yet another reason why he needs to learn to swim.
One of the highlights of our time in North Island was seeing the incredible after effects that the 1886 volcano eruption had on Rotorua.On arriving there and walking around Lake Rotorua to Sulphur Bay(aptly named), we unwittingly found ourselves walking on burning ground which moved alarmingly.We were surrounded by boiling,bubbling mud pools and geysters but were too excited to realise that we had strayed in to a "extreme danger" zone.We even placed Bertie by one of these sizzling pools but, miraculously he survived but has not been keen on going out with us since!There were signs saying"extreme danger" but we did not see them and the 5cm high safety barriers passed me by.Subsequently,we visited many active craters, all equally impressive,but never got to go so close again!
We went on an amazing day's trip to visit the sight of the Mount Tarawera eruption and the remains of the pink and white steps that it created.We were taken on a nature walk to see the amazing variety of animal and plant life that thrives on the volcanic soil.We had 2 boat trips across the lakes with a 20 minute tramp between them-guess who was group leader?Yes it was Brian-with his navigational skills who else could be chosen! How long did the 20 minute tramp take,well.....Then we visited the buried village. There is a museum which holds the remains of a settlement that was buried by the eruption.It was quite odd to be standing on the exact spot that received a direct hit from the eruption. Finally we finished the day by visiting a lookout to see the blue and green lakes that sit side by side in the craters. The contrast in colour of 2 lakes was stunning.The blue lake is used for recreational activities, but the green lake is totally undisturbed- it belongs to the Maori nation- they only use it to collect shells and regard it as being a very sacred place. It was a fantastic day trip.
One evening we went for a walk and came across a Maori community,surrounded by traditional buildings. Next to each building was either a steam pool or bubbling mud hole- no regard was placed on health and safety. We were surrounded by free tourist shows.Why people pay to see what is straight in front of them.......
We have never experienced anything quite so phenomonal and Roturoa got in to skin.In fact Sandy was completely obsessed and was quite disappointed that she did not experience another eruption! ( since then we have visited other volcanic regions and she remains ever the optimist)
We did manage to sample Maori culture and food one evening.Their hangi( outdoor cooking using hot stones in the ground) produced delicious food,although how traditional the food was, who knows! The concert of Maori dancing and songs was superb and gave a glimpse into their traditions.
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