We’ve spent the last couple days exploring Rotorua, which
seems to be a tourist hub due to the geothermal activity in the area. A couple
nights ago we attended a traditional hangi dinner, which included an
informative and interesting demonstration of Maori weapons, dancing, rituals,
and music. There was some confusion as to where we were supposed to be sitting,
but we ended up sitting with a nice Canadian couple that we had met earlier in
the day at the Zorb. It sure was nice to have someone to talk to other than
each other for a change :)
The highlight of the evening was after dinner when we got to
go into the neighboring Rainbow Springs Wildlife Center, which is basically a
zoo with only animals native to New Zealand. Since it was late, the nocturnal
animals were very active. We saw more glowworms, eels, fish, and various birds,
but the highlight was the kiwi birds. We were a bit disappointed that we didn’t
get to see them in the kauri forest on our bush walk, but in the wildlife park
we got to see three of them up close (New Zealand is very casual about
barriers). The really are funny looking birds and they move so fast! A few
interesting tidbits we learned: kiwi birds have marrow in their bones, which
helps explain why they are flightless. They have whiskers on their face, and
their nostrils are way at the end of their beak, which helps them root out bugs
and worms from the ground. I think the most impressive fact is that they’re
roughly about the size of a chicken but their eggs are the size of six chicken
eggs! After the female lays the egg she’s outta there and leaves the male to
incubate it for 2 and a half months. Such interesting animals – we feel lucky
to have seen them.
Yesterday we explored the Wai-o-tapu thermal area, which was
pretty impressive. We saw the Lady Knox geyser, fumaroles (steam vents in the
ground), boiling mud pools, and more. The whole place (really, all of Rotorua)
stinks due to the hydrogen sulfide gas being emitted from the earth, but it’s
really not bad unless the breeze sends a particularly smelly cloud your way
when you’re not ready for it. Then it's gag, cough, gasp, cough, gag. We then headed towards our next destination, Lake
Taupo. One great thing about having a camper is that you’re never at the mercy
of what’s nearby. We can fix a hot lunch at whatever spot seems pretty, we
always have a change of clothes if the weather turns bad, and if you need a
nap, we’ve got our bed right behind us. Last night we stayed in a proper hotel,
however, which has its upside too (such a luxury to take a shower without wearing sandals). Anyway, Andy is finally awake and we're getting ready to check out the gorgeous Huka Falls. More to come!
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| At Craters of the Moon, a geothermal area caused by man's tinkering with geothermal power |
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| Lady Knox Geyser hat |
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| The Champagne Pool, named for the tiny bubbles |
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