Leaving Taupo...onto Rotorua

Before hitting the road to Rotorua we called in at the Buried Village where a violent and unexpected volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera during the early hours of June 10, 1886, was New Zealand's greatest natural disaster. Over 150 people died during which for 4 hours, rocks, ash and mud bombarded the peaceful village of Te Wairoa. As well as the ending of so many lives and livelihoods, the eruption destroyed what was known as the eighth wonder of the world - the magnificent Pink and White Terraces , and buried the staging post for travellers from around the world to the Terraces. These Terraces were obviously so special, as people travelled from around the world to see them - normally taking 3 months for a return trip from the UK. The Maories quickly learned the art of tourism and free market economy and were making about £7000 pa for their village from visiting Victorians...imagine the horror when it all blew up and got buried, sadly with such loss of life too.

view from the landing..where we had lunch

Lake Tarawera, with Mount Tarawera in the background, 7 or 8 volcanoes which split the mountain and re shaped the valleys and lakes

We decided to call into Orakei Korako Thermal Park en route from Lake Taupo to our 2 night stay in Rotorua. The Lonely Planet Guide states that this is possibly the best thermal area left in NZ and one of the finest in the world. Access to the hidden valley is by a short ferry trip across Lake Ohakuri. Orakei Koraka (in english means "place of adorning") has remained completely unchanged for thousands of years. 20 million litres of hot water flow over silica terraces every day. ...but boy! was it hot there?

Known as the hidden valley and only accessible by a small chugging ferry ( 5minute crossing) it looked foreboding from the other side!

the short crossing

on the other side..with the ferry returning in the background

guyser (not Frank)spewing out of the terrace in the background

some welcome shade

After returning to the mainland it was time to set off to Rotorua with yours truly driving. We were reliably informed by a local Kiwi that it should be a 45 minute drive....not for the first time 45 minutes equated to two hours...never trust a Kiwi to give you an accurate forecast of time over distance. Trusting our knowledge we ended up running for an hour on petrol fumes from the tank which was empty..and all the filling stations were closed up and now just shops or derelict. So with stiff thigh and calf muscles from all the steps and walking we retired to the MPV and air con. I reckon that this was our hottest and most humid experience of the holiday.