Another bright sunny start to the day after a cold night. Elsewhere on the North Island, roads were blocked with snow, so we're not complaining. Our campsite in Hamilton was basic, but had all we needed.

We found some interesting fungi sharing our parking spot:

Then set off for Cambridge, where we parked outside the town hall for a coffee and some shopping:

Moving on again, a very pleasant drive through interesting countryside to:

Another coffee, this time with an interesting backdrop, note the rocks steaming gently in the background:

When we were ready, a boat came to take us across Lake Ohakuri. Barbara gritted her teeth for the crossing, even though it was only about 30 seconds!

Alighting on the the far side, we walked a short distance to find a warning:

and indeed, a little stream of water just under Barbara's hand by the boardwalk had water that was too hot to leave one's fingers in. Elsewhere it was much hotter:

This particular thermal system (Orakei Korako) has amazing variations in a relatively small area, from steaming jungles:

to cliffs with caves where boiling water erupts at regular intervals from caves, sending steaming torrents down the hillside:

And then there are delicate plants in amongst the violent extremes:

Curiously, this seemed to be Manuka, from which bees make the honey, but the plant also has another name it seems:

Further on are boiling pools:

which bubble and writhe like a living animal:

Some pools are deep and clear, but still hot:

There are cliffs like solidified waterfalls The Golden Fleece Terrace):

Steam frequently obscures the views;

And almost everywhere, little pillars of steam rise up:

There's a big cave:

With nice silver fern trees around the outer edges:

And boiling mud pools, which make the most deliciously disgusting gloopy noises:

And appear to almost be alive:

We had to drag ourselves away eventually as the day was ending and the park was closing. Even the car park bade us a steamy farewell, then on to Rotorua for the night.

written by  Saros on May 21, 2009 from Rotorua, New Zealand
from the travel blog: The Hairy Animal 2009 World Road Trip
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Looking good Charles, everyone here in envy!

written by  Andrew (from work) on May 21, 2009

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