Most of the last two days and nights were spent in Rotorua, the geysers, hot springs and mud bath capital of NZ. Yesterday was a very busy day with a start of the day at the Waiotapu springs including the Lady Knox geyser which spurts at 10.15 every morning. I was curious how the geyser can tell the time, and be so punctual every day, but it turns out a man pours soap flakes down the hole to break the crusty water surface. Soon after this oodles of suds appear like a demented washing machine and soon after that the geyser ofboiling hotwater shoots 20 metres into the air for about45 minutes.
The hot springs are worth a visit but there is a feeling of it being a very old quarry with lots of coloured smelly (sulphurous) water lying about. The best bit were the bubbling mud pools and the gloob gloobing noises.
After an early curry lunch I went white water rafting for the first time in my life. All togged out in wet suits, life jacket and crash helmet we (me three other paying passengers and the crew of 3) were plunged through a series of rapids culminating in the seven metre drop over the edge. (Photos not yet available) Happily the water is a reasonable 15 degrees C and the excitement was all about would we turn over or not. Although fully submerged at times and holding on for dear life we didn't turnover and I saved myself the trouble of taking another shower before going on the Maori evening later.
I'm not always a great fan of these cultural events, Maori evening. but in the end I couldn't resist the enthusiasm of our coach driver and host for the evening. Having us shout kia ora (which means all sorts of things but generally of approval) in response to his information on Maori culture and the invincibility of the All Blacks was beginning to grate but his singing of all the national anthems you could think of in the respective languages was strangely impressive. In a darkly lit forest we visited a replica Maori village where demonstrations and
explanations were given, followed by a concert and then a big buffet dinner of food mostly cooked in the Hangi tradition (i.e. buried with hot rocks ). The highlight was nevertheless our coach driver and host for the return journey requiring us all to sing something of our own ethnic background so I tried my best with the Welsh national anthem and Its Not Unusual. Also driving the bus 4 times round and round a mini round about in the middle of town was Very Unusual.This afternoon I've arrivedin Auckland, for 2 nights, by far the largest city in NZ with one-third the population of NZ residing here. On Sunday I fly to Santiago in Chile to start the S American, and final part of my trip.
2 comments:
Hi Paul, thanks for your mail, I have been reading your blog with great envy, enjoy South America and keep up the good work
Paul, We are puzzled on your 1 st june report we can't work which one you are in the picture Please advise.
Diana and John
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