After watching the Lady Knot Geyser, we proceed to the main Thermal Wonderland.
The Wai-O-Tapu thermal area is part of a Scenic Reserve administered by the Department of Conservation and has the largest area of surface thermal activity of any hydrothermal system in the Taupo Volcanic Zone.
Covering some 18sqkm, with volcanic dome of Maungakakaramea (Rainbow Mountain) at its northern boundary, the area is literally covered with collapsed craters, cold and boiling pools of mud, water and steaming fumaroles.The area is associated with volcanic activity dating back about 160,000 years and is located right on the edge of the largest volcanic caldera (depression) within the active Taupo Volcanic Zone.
Beneath the ground is a system of streams which are heated by magma left over from earlier eruptions. The water is so hot (up to 300degree have been recorded) that it absorbs minerals out of the rocks through which it passes and transports them to the surface as steam where they are ultimately absorbed into the ground. The so called "rotten egg smell" of geothermal areas is associated with "hydrogen sulphide"(H2S).
The wide range of colours in the area are all natural and are due to different mineral elements.
We feel slightly warmer here, probably because of the steam?
This is one of the crater, Devil's Home
Steaming grounds
Champagne pool
Expansive Vistas
Sinter Terrace Formations
Natural coloured Hot and Cold pools
GG bought 5 stamps for $10, those lucky ones will received her postcards.
Send out 2 today:)
After the Thermal Wonderland, we drove up 6-7mins for New Zealand largest bubbling Mud Pool.
After Wai-O-Tapu, we headed for our lunch. We decided to have MacDonald today, click on our GPS to find the nearest Mac. Set meal around $8. After lunch, we walked around the City Centre for 1hr before our next destination.
The next destination, AMAZEME
The owner is Teresa good friend and thanks to Mick and Teresa, we got in free!!
Nice scenery, sheep everywhere.
There is only 4millions population in NZ and there are more than 40millions sheep. A ratio of 1:10
We are here @ Amazeme
We can only enter to the 4th layer, in and out 4X and still no clue to get into the maze.
And...
We eventually cheat ;p
This guy help us to get his friends to open up the door and let us into the maze:)
Dang Dang, we are in!
The door is only allowed to open from inside.
And evening, as usual go to Countdown again.
Bought some instant food and heat up in our B&B.
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