As is almost normal this trip, the day dawned with blue sky and sunshine. I wasn't sure I'd enjoy today but how wrong could I be. We started out at 8:30 to go to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Our guide turned out to be the owner of the tour company and he was a real character who was very knowledgable about his subject.
We started out at the bubbling mud pools.
Next came rainbow crater which is named after sulphur crystals and mineral veins exposed in the kaolin clay walls.
Followed by the Devil's ink pots which are a series of mud pools. The colour is due to small amounts of graphite and crude oil being brought to the surface.
Then there was Artist's Palette which is overflowing water from Champagne Pool.
Beautiful Champagne Pool
Devils Inferno which is very acidic
Devils Bath
Lady Knox Geyser - this was a bit of a cheat because in order to satisfy the public and have it errupt at the same time each day, a surfactant, similar to soap, is added. Within 5 mins we had the desired effect. On the other hand, old Faithful in Yellowstone was as regular as clockwork, more or less hourly.
All in all a great morning. I think we were surprised that it was so different to uYellowstone. I worried that it somehow wouldn't live up to expectations, but it exceeded them.
More to come later about this evening when we get decent wifi. 20 mins free or 20mb, whichever is first, doesn't go very far. The alternative is to pay NZ$30 for 24 hours. You even have to pay in MacDonalds and you only get 50mb in Starbucks!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment