Between Rotorua and Taupo, still in the heart of the volcanic area, we stopped by a must-see tourist attraction called Wai-O-Tapu, the thermal wonderland. It is an area of heavy geothermic activity that has created a densely packed collection of interesting natural features. It was like stepping into another planet.
First on the agenda was the Lady Knox Geyser, which goes off every day at 10:15. It goes off like clockwork because it takes a soap like substance that the guide tosses into the geyser. This somehow loosens the pressure in the material above that allows the pressure from the water below to burst through, creating a 30 foot high burst of water.
The self-guided tour is split into three loops and is about 8-9 kms in total. There are often sections that are more fragrant than others, but none of it smelling all that good. The first part takes you through a section of craters and bubbling cauldrons.
After a short walk through some thick brush, you come out to this spectacular display of colors called The Artist’s Palette. The steaming pool is a hot spring called the Champagne Pools which supplies the trace mineral deposits that is distributed by the direction of the wind to create the patterns of color.
The Champagne Pools stem from a 700 year old explosion crater formed by a hydro-thermal eruption. It is a 62 meters deep that is filled with 230 degree Celsius spring water. The water cools to 74 degress Celsius at the surface and there is a constant rising steam that comes off the surface. When the wind kicks up in your direction it creates a total white-out of steam. There is a ring of red that contains arsenic and sulfur compounds around the entire pool, which is about the size of an Olympic swimming pool.
After a short walk through a forested area, you come to this view of the Frying Pan Flat, a section of pools, bubbling earth, and rock formations. Pictures do better than words here, but there are a lot of sounds and smells that are lacking.
The Sulphur Cave is a cave that has deposits of sulfur that have collected in it. The sulfur has actually crystallize and is forming stalactites because of the intense conditions.
The Sulphur Cave is a cave that has deposits of sulfur that have collected in it. The sulfur has actually crystallize and is forming stalactites because of the intense conditions.
At the very far end of the thermal park is this intensely green lake. It looks like it has been dyed for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
The water that flows out of the Champagne Pool deposits minerals that create this huge lumpy expanse.
The final feature of the park is this sulfur pool that looks like ectoplasm. A fitting way to end the out-of-this-world sight.
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