Friday 23 October: Thermal pools, Mud pools and Maori Village
Very busy day today.
We started the day with a quick dip in the thermal pools - the advantage of camping overnight is that you gert to go in before they open to the rest of the public.
Not far away we went to investigate some mud pools. Amazing to see a pool of hot mud bubbling away to itself with steam rising from it.
Then, before lunch, a quick hike up Rainbow mountain (1h45 return) for a view across 7 lakes and towards Rotorua.
Here is a Tui. Endemic to NZ these birds are very vocal and have a number of different calls. They are quite amazing.
The volcanic scenery around here is just amazing.
We spent the afternoon exploring Waimangu Volcanic Valley. This is paid entry, but worth every penny. The valley already existed as a tourist attraction in the late 1800s but eruptions in 1886 and 1917 totally changed the character of the valley. It is facinating to see the geothermal activity that exists there today (eg. springs bububbling out of the ground at 100 degrees forming a hot steaming river) as well as photos of the 19th Century tourists doing their thing 150 years ago.
We finished off the day with a visit to the Tamaki Maori VIllage. Yes this is a "fake" designed-for-tourists entertainment, but it was fun and informative and included a delicious buffet dinner!
Late to bed in a free campsite near a waterfall.
Golden Nugget: