Our day of colours

Left Rotorua, went South to Wai-O-Tapu then onto Taupo
Thought our luck had changed with very little rain overnight but no sooner had we begun breakfast then it started again. Some advice from the park staff made us make tracks for a thermal park, south of Rotorua, however we were delayed after the bottle of vinegar fell off the shelf and 500ml turned into about 5L, all over the cupboards & floor. A quick clean up and we scoooted down to Wai-O-tapu, a large geo-thermal park.
Got there in time to buy our tickets and drive the short way back to the scheduled eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser. We and about 50 other tourists were sitting there waiting & wondering how they know the geyser will go off at 10.45 every day. Next thing a young gent from the park steps up with a brown paper bag & microphone and proceeds to tell us the story of the geyser. Apparently the area was originally used as a prison and some prisoners doing some work found the geyser / hot spring and used it to wash their clothes. The story goes that a cake of soap fell into the hot spring and very soon after the geyser erupted.
So, the paper bag contains some detergent type stuff, the park man chucks it into the hole & viola, about 5 mins later, up she goes. Nice work.
Returning to the wai-O-Tapu park we embarked on the 1 1/2 hour walk around, go past a huge array of sink hole, bubling mud pools, hot springs, sulphur mounds and streams. Quite incredible to see the water and rocks range from white to orange to bright green to black, all within a few metres of each other, depending on the minerals dissolved in the water. Most of the springs and pools are 100ç. Stunning colours despite the overcast day and heaps photos were taken.
Luckily we were within 100m of the end of the walk when the rain reminded us that it hadn't finished yet. Poured for about 1/2 hour so we stayed indoors and had a dry lunch.
Back in the vans for the 60km drive to Taupo but stopping on the way ay Haku Falls, just out of Taupo.
Hardly any walking involved as the falls are right close to the carpark and we were treated to a little sunshine as we looked about.
The falls are smallish but carry a vast amount of the most brilliant blue water through a very narrow rocky gorge before tumbling over the falls, into the river.
A short drive into Taupo, checked into the caravan park then drove back into the CBD for a brisk walk around town, getting a few more supplies and returning to the van park.
The usual happened in the kitchen while preparing dinner, Sue & Michelle pounced on anyone in or entering the kitchen, giving them a good grilling, asking them to explain themselves, their reason for being here and some basic family info before allowing them to continue their own dinner. Even got the Chinese ladies to hand over a sample of their cooking for us to taste, it was delicious I must say.
More rain!

Weather remains the same, just with a few more non-rainy periods, was cooler today with a brisk wind.

Highlights
* lady knox geyser
*wai-o-tapu geo thermal park, outstanding scenes
* haku fallsLeia mais