WAIMANGU VOLCANIC VALLEY AND A HUGE SURPRISE!

What an exceptionally wonderful day in Tauranga…we left the ship around 10:30 to begin our tour to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley in Rotorua, New Zealand – wow what a mouthful!  We had a beautiful scenic drive from the port to our first destination.  The weather was cooperating and was positively quite hot during our trek around the geothermal area. 

 

We were treated (?) to a Maori greeting as we arrived at Waimangu.  I use the question mark, because it was quite frightening.  We were warned beforehand not to touch our laugh, touch our faces or run away during the greeting….and then it began.  There were 3 men, 2 women and 2 children and the chief, shouted and gestured and stuck his tongue out while making fierce looking eyes.  Waving spears and approaching us stamping their feet, was quite intimidating and we could imagine first visitors to the island being shown this display.  It lasted a good 10 minutes and then there was the tradition of touching noses and Laureen was chosen to participate. 

We went for a boat ride around the volcanic crater.  It was huge!  The most recent eruption was only 129 years ago and how much the area has recovered, was quite interesting to see.  We saw and heard lots of steam vents and boiling sprays of water all while breathing in the lovely sulphur odour.  The area is much like Yellowstone and forms part of the Pacific Ring of Fire – as is the area we live.

Small Mosses
 

Camburgia Web

Close up of Moss

After our small cruise, we went for a wander with our guide.  There were so many sights to see and especially for you, Brian, I got a photo of a Camburgia Spider Web and a small Sun Dew carnivorous plant.  We also came along a lovely patch of mosses and I took some close up shots of those for you also.  



Sun Dew
 

Sorry I don’t remember the names, but I did well to remember camburgia.  Our naturalist was very good and it brought back many happy memories of visiting our provincial parks with my very own naturalist brother.  After we climbed some steps up to a viewing platform, we were rewarded with the sight of the turquoise lake.   


Turquoise Lake

This lake has very high levels of acid – so although very beautiful, it is also very dangerous.  There were many other visual rewards in this unique area.  If our day had ended here, we would have ridden back to the ship content and happy…but wait – there’s more!

Preserved Kiwi for Photographs

Our next stop was Rainbow Springs and in the most beautiful environment, albeit a nocturnal habitat created for this park – WE SAW A KIWI!  This was a huge thrill for me.  Didn’t know if I would be able to see one, but there she was!  They are still endangered, but with many volunteers and the work of dedicated naturalists, this park is managing to raise chicks and reintroduce them to their native habitat. We were not allowed to take photos, had to remain very quiet and even thought in the low light she was hard to spot – what a thrill when I found her.  I had a good look at her moving about and poking around in the debris that mimicked a forest floor.  They are doing amazing work at Rainbow Springs and I for one was a very happy visitor.

Now we went wended our way back along the new highway through hills with lovely views of sheep with their lambs and milk cattle and finally back to the ship.  What a great day!