A hub of geothermic activity, Rotorua is one of the few places on earth where the earth’s crust is only 4 km thick (as opposed to 30km elsewhere). As a result, this area acts as a release valve for gases trapped by molten rock.
We hiked around TE PUIA, a Maori cultural center located in a thermal valley, and witnessed boiling mud baths, geysers, and a steaming earth–very otherworldly.
With his video camera Pete captured the geyser going off.
Mother Nature’s bidet.
We then hiked through a replica of a Maori village in the thermal valley.
TE PUIA highlights Maori culture & art, too.
TE PUIA also includes a visit to a kiwi house. Nocturnal in nature, the kiwis were hiding and asleep. We were told not to take pictures, so I’ll post a picture of a Maori ceramic tile with a kiwi wide awake painted on it.
Later we drove to a geothermic wonderland that hosts a 75 minute walk through some of the most hellish looking places, Wai-O-Tapu means sacred waters. Ironically the sign above reads, “Smoking is prohibited.” Mother Earth, of course, is smoking up a storm.
These craters range from 5-50 meters in diameter and are up to 20 meters deep All were formed by the ground surface collapsing. Many of these craters have steam fumeroles, sulphur vents and bubbling pools. Here water temperatures can range up to 80 degrees C.
THE CHAMPAGNE POOL (of Satan?) Colors are introduced into the area by various oxides. Red/Brown = Iron oxide.
Two hot tamales edging up to a 700-year-old explosion crater, formed by a hydro-thermal eruption.
The hiking trail–good exercise
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Pete in front of Devil’s Bath Cloudy green/yellow color = Acid sulfate.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Slime?
As our journey is taking us south, the temperature is beginning to drop. The temperature last week was ideal (high 60’s – low 70s). Now the temperature is in the mid to low 60’s. We are moving on to long sleeves.
We stopped in the park for some hot coffee after our hike.
We drove over to the Old Bath House in Rotorua, opened in 1908. Mineral springs, mud baths, and spiritual healing have created quite a tourist trade here for the last century. The Bath House was an Edwardian attempt to create a spa in an essentially Elizabethan style of architecture. Today it is a museum, but the spa industry is booming here.
We looked for a place to eat dinner in the city. Our hotel was right around the corner from this food mecca.
We enjoyed this sign in front of one of the local pubs.
We were delighted to see that a street fair was occurring this evening. It even included wine tasting. We bought some mulled wine from the vendor in the video.
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