Today, we headed to the famous Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, New Zealand's most colourful geothermal attraction, which is just a short drive from Rotorua. This is the place where the landscape has been sculptured by geothermal activity and where unique volcanic features can be viewed from well defined tracks.
Immediately, upon arriving at the site, we note a whiff of something peculiar in the air. The primordial stench that lingers in our nostrils is the product of the turbulent geothermal activity taking place beneath our feet.
The most impressive structure within the park is none other than the champagne pool where hot steam can be seen rising from it. Other interesting structures include the hot bubbling mud pool, steaming ground, expansive vista and huge volcanic crater.
The nature bush setting adds another dimension to the experience as does Lady Knox Geyser which erupts daily at 10.15am to great heights of up to 20 meter. Personally, I find the geyser not as impressive as the one in Iceland. It is pretty small and quite a disappointment.
The entire reserve is easily accessible by foot and can be self-guided. I would think that winter time would be perfect for a visit as summer can be too hot to walk through the park. Overall, we spent 2 hours at the reserve which is quite an eye opener for me.
After that we headed for a short hike to view the Huka waterfall. The Huka Falls is located on Waikato River, which drains into lake Taupo. Up to 220,000 litres of water per second squeezes throug a gap five times smaller than the usual width of the river and tumbles over a hard granite ledge down a twenty metre drop. The result in a maelstrom of blue water, so colored as the clear water reflects blue light which is intensified to this vivid shade by the air bubbles in the rapidly flowing water.
Overall, I really enjoy the hike and walks through the lush vegetation and having a bird's eye view of the river at a vantage point. Walks like this is very precious to a city girl like me! As we walked further, we saw people soaking up in the river where the water is comfortably warm, almost like Japan's onsen. Pity that we didn't bring our swimsuits along. I would love to soak myself in the river under the natural setting of the rain forest.
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| You can soak in the river or canoe or simply swim! |
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| The famous Taupo Lake |
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| My favorite drink in NZ L&P |
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| Nice art decoration by the lake |
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