Rotorua and Taupo

Yesterday we had only to drive for about 100km. That gave us more time to explore the rich nature of the area.

On our way down we stopped in Te Puke, the capital of the kiwi. Oli bought a refreshing kiwi juice in the "Kiwi 360". Mhh!!

We then left the coast and drove to Rotorua. It is a beautiful village that lies at the Rotorua Lake. Unfortunatelly the area is overcommercialised and there is an entry-fee for almost everything that you can do and see...

But the first thing that tells you, that you are in Rotoruais not the money that is taken out of your pocket but the strange biting smell of sulfur (rotten egg) that lies in the air. This is due to the high vulcanic activity around Rotorua.

After having refused to pay 44 dollar p.p. to see a geysir, we found some beautiful things to see, that were for free.

These geothermal springs for example were there just beside the road.

We also found a beautiful spring (the largest on the north island) that we reached trough a small forest of redwood trees (also known as Sequoia) which are native to the Pacific Coast of North Amerika. The water from this spring was so clear that we couldn't resist drinking from it.

Then we reached the Hell Gates, an area that is highly geothermal active. (The admission-fee of 30 dollars p.p. seemed affordable...) The air is pested with the sulfur smell and you can only walk on the provided tracks because the steaming hot and highly acid waterpools can be quite dangerous.

After a walk of almost an hour through a strange landscape that doesn't seem to be from this planet, we enjoyed a footbath in one of the mudpools. (it is said to be very healthy!)

Today we did another 100km and ended up at Lake Taupo which is the biggest lake in New Zealand.

On the way down there we stopped at Lady Knox Geysir which erupts daily at 10:15 (after a ranger triggers the eruption with washing powder...).

We combined the visit of the Geysir with a walk through "Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland". A really beautiful place where the admission-fee is worth the money!

We saw the beautiful coloured Champagne Pools.

But there were other fascinating lakes and pools with amazing colours.

Lake Taupo offered us a breathtaking view to the Tongariro National Park which is our destination for the next two days.

In the afternoon we descovered the border of Lake Taupo and enjoyed breathtaking landscape and the awesome wildlife. :)