Bus to Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Guide John. Hiked and saw many fascinating thermal sites. Frying Pan Lake Crater was cool. Hot actually. And very acidic. Inferno Crater Lake was a gorgeous turquoise color (picture attached). Next was a boat ride on Lake Rotomahana. The rain started coming down hard. It didn't seem to bother all the black swans in the water. I found a spot on the open part of the boat, in the back. Slight overhang and my small umbrella kept me kinda dry. But I was cold by the end. John drove us back up the hill.
Bus to Duke's Bar & Restaurant at Prince's Gate Hotel. Elegant, old building. Lots of hot tea warmed me up. Great service. Pork belly and creme brulee were good.
Bus to Te Puia New Zealand Maori Arts & Craft Institute. Guide Reagan was very funny and damn cute. We saw our first Kiwi birds. Their feathers look like fur. We learned from local experts at the Institute about the role it plays in encouraging young Maori to train in the traditional Maori arts and crafts: carving wood and stone, weaving, traditional building techniques, and the like. We saw students making wood and jade carvings. Viewed the Whakarewarewa (Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao) thermal area, renowned for its boiling mudpools and the spectacular Pohutu Geyser. The geysers were very active. On par with the ones I saw in Iceland. The place is huge!
Short stop at hotel to dry off.
Back to Te Puia for a huge buffet, with traditional Maori hangi food. Had a couple of glasses of Volcanic Hills NZ chardonnay, which was very relaxing.
Everyone moved to the Wharenui (Maori meeting house) for a traditional greeting. Then into the house for a performance. It was amazing.
Bus back to hotel. Packed for flight tomorrow to Christchurch (South Island).
Photo: Me at the Inferno Crater in the Waimangu Volcanic Valley.
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