So today saw us leave Rotorua. We headed off early this morning (up at 7 and it nearly killed us!) Our plan today was to head to another geothermal park – Wai-o-tapu. It was on the way to our next stop – Lake Taupo. The reason for the early start was we needed to be there before 10 to get our tickets, as the resident geyser – Lady Knox puts on a show every day at 10.15am.
Lady Knox Geyser
As we sat in the little ampitheatre full of people staring at a hole in the ground, we wondered how they know for sure that it will go off at that time every day. We found out soon enough …they throw a bar of soap in it! Something about prisoners washing their clothes in the hot water in the ground back in the day…adding soap, and finding their clothes blasted into the air! So they use this method to regulate the geyser every day, to make sure people get to see it in action! And very impressive it was too!
Then it was back to the main park for a 3km walk round some more smelly stuff! A wide variety of steaming vents, mudpools, strangely coloured lakes and a lot more. All very interesting, but the smell really does get a bit much after a while!
So after that, it was on to Lake Taupo. Now, the weather today was a bit miserable. So bad in fact that our raincoats got their first airing in the entire time we have been away! By the time we arrived at our camp site the weather had improved considerably.
It was at this point that we decided we couldn’t really be bothered doing anything else today – we have had our fill of looking at stuff over the last few days, and just wanted to relax! Turns out this was a good place to do so!
First of all, we had a game of larger than life draughts set out on the ground. Jonny beat me. Then we played Petanque – which is boules. Jonny beat me (although narrowly).
Then it was on to the ‘jumping pillow’. Which is exactly what it says. A huge, pillow shaped, trampoline type thing. We have seen these at other campsites before although none as big as this one. While in the office hiring the boules, Jonny enquired… “See the jumping pillow…” The woman smiled. Jonny asked… “Is it just for children??????????” The woman laughed. “Absolutely not, but be careful! Children never hurt themselves on it. Adults do!”
Jumping Jill
So we were off! We spent a while jumping about (I think we scared most of the children away) and had some jumping and running races.
Then it was time for a swim. There is a lovely outdoor pool here and even a little shallow hot pool, so I spent most of the time there!
So all in all, we have had a very nice day. Jonny is sitting in the sun reading, I’m typing this and then we’re doing to cook some dinner! Busy, busy!!!
Jill
