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| Champagne Pool at Wai-O-Tapu - Rotorua, New Zealand |
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| Huka Falls - Taupo, New Zealand |
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| Whakarewaewa Redwood Forest - Rotorua, New Zealand |
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| Te Puia Geyser - Rotorua, New Zealand |
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| Kiwi Lady Kayaker - Blue Lake, New Zealand |
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| Lady Knox Geyser at Wai-O-Tapu - Rotorua, New Zealand |
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| Champagne Pool at Wai-O-Tapu - Rotorua, New Zealand |
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| Maori 'Waka' War Canoe at Mitai Village - Rotorua, New Zealand |
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| Bus & Information Station - Rotorua, New Zealand |
Driving into Rotorua with steam flowing from the earth, we felt that we were in a virtual world developed by Disneyland. Rotorua sits on the edge on one of most awesome volcanic areas in the world - mud pools spit, geyser shoot high into the air, and sulfurous steam and gas hiss through crevices in the earth.
Rotorua is also a cultural center for Maori (New Zealand’s first inhabitants) experiences.
Our first night, we visited the Maori Mitai Village described as earthy, raw, and indigenous where we experienced an evening of Maori culture. We were met by Maori warriors paddling a waka (ancient war canoe - see photo) and witnessed a Maori performance of dance (lots of tongue) and explanation of traditions followed by a traditional ‘hangi’ meal cooked in the ground (see photos). We also saw our first glowworms – a New Zealand thing where very small worms glow at night.
The next day was incredible. We visited the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland with the amazing Lady Knox Geyser and Champagne Pool (an effervescent, blue-green pond rimmed with brilliant orange mineral deposits), steam vents, mud pools, and vibrant mineral colors (see photos).
Afterwards, we swam in a natural hot and cold river where two small rivers meet – one hot and one cold (really cool!… and hot!). Then we took a hike through the Whakarewarewa Sequoia Redwood Forest (see photo) planted here in 1901 by prisoners, viewed the Te Puia Geyser shooting out of the rocks, and visited the Polynesian Spa overlooking Lake Rotorua. A drive to the beautiful Blue and Green Lakes yielded a kayak contest going on (see photo).
On the way to Rotorua we passed through Taupo stopping at New Zealand largest and very beautiful Lake Taupo. We also visited Huka Falls (see photo) on the way.
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AN - Thursday, December 31, 2009
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