The road to Rotorua

After our day of lots of walking we start to head down to Rotorua. After checking in we head down to the Polynesian Spa, where there are pools of hot water of different temperatures ranging from 39 - 42˚C. The pools are right at the edge of Lake Rotorua and look after across the water. It is a lovely setting and we submerge our walk weary bodies into the relaxing water. The hot pool though is too hot for me and I quickly feel like a boil in the bag meal, so its a quick exit and into a (slightly) cooler pool. Just what we needed.

Our next day in Rotorua starts with an early start and a trip out to Wai-O-Tapu, which is an area of bubbling mud pools, the Lady Knox Geyser, and lakes and pools of amazing coloured water with brightly coloured mineral deposits in them. We go to see the Lady Knox Geyser first of all as it is scheduled to erupt at 10.15am. This is a manipulated eruption using a surfuctant (which is a type of soap). The geyser has two water chambers, one lower, hot one and one upper, cold one. The upper chamber cools due to a larger opening to the outside. The lower one heats up due to the volcanic activity below. When soap is thrown into the upper water chamber, the lowered surface tension of the water allows it to mix with the hotter water below, causing the eruption.

There is a huge crowd gathered for this and it is quite amazing to see it happen. After this we make our way the rest of the area and see all the other sights.

Later that afternoon we go in search of some adrenalin and discover the Schweeb. You can see the picture of Matthew in the pod which contains a sitting down bike. There are 2 which are hanging on tracks. So the idea is that we have to race against the clock (and of course each other!). Now off we go at full pelt and have to complete 3 laps of this course....now 2 isn't too bad, but the 3rd lap for me, at least, is agony!!!! when we finish I climb out and can barely stand up my legs are like jelly!!

Matthew decides he wants a go at Freefall Extreme and has fun trying to balance on a huge jet of air!!

That evening we meet up with friends of Matthew’s who are travelling in NZ and have detoured to Rotorua to see us. We have a lovely evening with them and then make plans to go to Te Puia the next day together.