9th April - Rotorua 3 - Te Puia
Aurora_b
Mike and Liz Downing
Thu 21 Apr 2011 11:48
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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)
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