9th April - Rotorua 3 - Te Puia

Aurora_b
Mike and Liz Downing
Thu 21 Apr 2011 11:48
Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu are located about a 20-30 minute drive south from Rotorua, but Te Puia, including the world famous Pohutu geyser, is on Rotorua's southern edge, so we were there 5 mins after checking out of our motel. The Pohutu geyser erupts up to 100ft. It's the largest of several geysers grouped together, including one known as the Prince of Wales Feathers because of the shape of the plumes. These were by far the most impressive geysers and were erupting continuously with gushing water and steam being forced high into the air. It's surrounded by an area containing streams, boiling mud pools and steam vents. Te Puia is also the home of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, so lots on the customs and traditions of Maori. 
 
Important note for potential visitors - the sulphur (bad-egg) smell that lingers everywhere in Rotorua and the geothermal parks, was nowhere as bad as we thought it would be!
 
The location of Te Puia - try writing that address on a postcard! Luckily it's commonly referred to as Whaka.
 
The main geysers are closely grouped together. The building not far away to the right is a hotel - they
do seem to build things very close to all this unstable activity.
 
When we were there they were erupting continuously, but with varying strengths/heights. This
was a big burst during one of the more overcast parts of the day.
 
The geysers from the other side, with water gushing out over the rocks.
 
It looks like the rocks are on fire in places, but it's their colour from all the minerals and
chemical reactions involved.
 
 
 
Still short sleeves and it's not the hot steam creating a micro-climate, but a mild autumn (so far).
Some of the walkways are well fenced off, but others .......
 
........ are not. No, not having a quick dram, just trying to capture another geothermal event of
world-wide importance, on video!
 
Hot bubbling mud pools again, and.....................
 
....... lots more!
 
Steaming vents and .....
 
..... sinter covered rocks.
 
Maori meeting house.
 
Maori waka (canoe)