Tongariro
Before leaving the campsite, we return to the swimming pools.
The weather is gloomy and rain is announced. We continue our journey to "Taupo".
On the way, we stop at "Craters on the Moon".
This geothermal area came to life in 1958, when hydroelectric works around the power plant caused the water level to drop. The pressure has shifted, creating new steam vents and bubbling mud pools.
Volcanic landscapes are often described as "lunar" because they are out of our ordinary.
However, this moon is a little too green to really believe! The smoking craters are no less spectacular. We are quite disappointed
Then we had to visit the "Huka Falls". On the advise of the staff of "Craters On The Moon", we wont do it for lack of flow.
We go directly to our bivouac in the evening at the foot of the volcano "Tongariro" that we do not see.
It is raining and very low clouds block our visibility.
We look at all the weather sites and the observation is clear ... Rain and clouds for 3 days.
We shall see tomorrow....
Waikite Valley
We finish the visit of this valley by the " Wai O Tapu ".
Wai-O-Tapu, whose name means “sacred waters” in Maori, is located in a location with many areas of high geothermal activity.
It is often referred to as the New Zealand Yellowstone. He is featured in all the brochures praising the beauty of the country and his photos have been around the world. This reserve, of great beauty, displays sumptuous shades: yellow for sulphur, red brown for iron oxide, violet for manganese.
The site visit begins with the awakening of "Lady Knox Geyser". This geyser was discovered around 1890 by prisoners who came to wash their clothes in the hot springs. One day, they realized that when they put soap where the source was, the water gushed out in a geyser. This is how Lady Knox appeared.
Today, it is every day at 10am that the geyser is put into action by the park team.
Among other attractions, we see the "Mud Pools" boiling mud pools
Throughout the course, explanations on the various formations, craters, geysers, fumaroles, pools with surprising aspects and colors dot the site.
In the early afternoon we set up camp at "Waikite Valley Hotpools"
It’s a special place to discover the natural, hot geothermal water of Te Manaroa Spring, the largest single source of 100% pure geothermal water in New Zealand.
We bathe in the 6 outdoor pools ... A real happiness for our little bodies!
Lake Okaro
We leave " Rotorua " heading south towards " Taupo ". The road is a succession of forests and lakes through several valleys.
Our first stop is a 5.5 km hike.
The intense volcanic activity of the region has generated seventeen lakes around Rotorua including the famous Blue Lake «Tikitapu» and its neighbor the Green Lake «Rotokakahi». Located on the edge of the Redwoods forest, they are among the most beautiful in the region.
They are so named because the crystal clear waters of the northernmost lake appear blue due to the mixture of rocks that make up the lake bed. As for the larger of two, to the south, its waters are an intense emerald green
Then we enter the " Waimangu Valley "
The Waimangu Volcanic Valley is the world’s youngest geothermal site. Indeed, this valley dates from 1886 and was created following the volcanic eruption of Tarawera
The trail covers a part of the valley in 3 stages according to the desired hiking time, the longest lasting 2 hours.
Along the route we are absorbed by the beauty of landscapes and geothermal events.
On arrival a shuttle allows us to return to the starting point.
This evening we are once again on the edge of a lake.
Rotorua
With geothermal, Rotorua is famous for its Maori shows.
We chose to visit the park of "Te Puia" on the advice of Catherine, one of the māori cultural centers of the region.
" Te Puia "is located just outside " Rotorua ". The tour is divided into several parts.
One is dedicated to the discovery of the nearby geothermal park and in particular its geyser, Pohutu, which projects water jets at a height of more than 30 meters, and this, more than 20 times a day.
Another section is dedicated to the Kiwi Protection Centre. A unique opportunity to see real kiwis. Those living at night, their habitat was reconstisioned in a building with dim lights which allowed us to see them
.
The last part is the entrance into the reconstructed village which begins with the welcoming ceremony. Maori warriors meet the group and perform a Haka before accepting the peace offering “teka”.
Then once we get back in the temple, we attend a dance and Haka show.
At the exit of the show we head to the Maori buffet ... It is a beautiful buffet well stocked with European dishes ... What was not planned!!!
We thought to taste typical dishes cooked in the earth.
The rest of the day is dedicated to following the program
ROAD BOOK 208
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MAVROS ODYSSEE
