From Viviene’s B&B near the Redwoods, to the Waimang’i Volcanic Valley. Not very far physically, maybe a 45 minute drive. But whoa what a difference from a geologic perspective. We hiked a 4km trail from the main building/gift shop down to Lake Rotomahana. A lake that was massively enlarged by a volcanic eruption on Mt. Tarawera in 1886. What had been one of the first tourist attractions in NZ, in the 1880’s was destroyed and has now been turned into a park that features the varied features of the volcanic terrain. Geysers, lakes filled with steaming water and mineral colored water. It was raining intermittently which added to the atmosphere of walking along creeks with small cracks in the earth with water and steam bubbling up.
A 45 minute boat ride around the lake with a narrative describing what was now underneath the lake waters. The pride of the local Maori tribes’ late 19th century tourist business, the White and Pink Terraces. Mineral laden hot water pools at the top of massive land masses that had been formed into terraces by lava flow. Colored pink by a combination of minerals, and the other almost pure white from silica. Only old black and white photos exist of the pre-eruption formations now.
Early afternoon we moved on driving toward Mount Doom, the stage name for Mt. Ngauruhoe, in the Lord of The Rings movies. Driving through an area of the North Island highlighted by the largest, by area, lake. Lake Taupo. Lunch at an Indian Cafe and then on towards our last stop of the day. Our hotel here is at the foot of ski area on Mt. Ruapehu, Chateau Tongairo a beautiful classic hotel resort built by the government of NZ in the early 1900’s. Located in an area known as Whakapapa. Do you remember of fun with WH? Dad humor again.
We like it here. The NZ PM is a young single pregnant woman from the Labor Party. They have a Climate Change Minister so it’s not just the outdoors features that make it seem like we’re on another planet. We like THIS planet.