We arrived in Rotorua at the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland in time to see Lady Knox, the local geyser goes off. She is triggered to go off every day by the addition of natural soap by a staff member, another Māori staff member sings a beautiful ballad like song during her eruption. The story goes that the geyser was discovered when prisoners had found the thermal hot pools, using them as a place to wash as the labour camp had no hot water. One day soap was accidentally dropped into the hole and the geyser exploded. We thought it was quite interesting that over a hundred years ago the prisoner work camp had been planting the largest pine tree plantation in the Southern Hemisphere.
This thermal park is called Wonderland because many different types of colours that are visible. Therea are fantastic signs post teaching about the geology, history and different chemical components and mineral sediments that form the unique structures and colours. Some of use were pleased to have enough time to do all the hiking trails in this beautiful (but smelly park).
We moved on for our Redwoods Altitude tree tour, in the Rotorua redwood forest. The redwood forest was planted here over 50 years ago. According to our guide trees grow quickly in New Zealand (at almost twice the rate as other places in the world). Thus, there has been a lot of cultivation of lumber here, understandably someone had the bright idea of trying to cultivate the California Redwood. Reportedly when the first half of the forest came down, the wood was not up to standard, it is used for hikes, a forest park with a canopy walks, and the Altitude Canopy tour. This tour, at 25 meters height, including three zip lines, 25 suspension bridges and an altitude drop with a bungee rope. Being in New Zealand meant a lot of attention was paid to safety, with multiple harness checks during our journey, 2 guides with our group of ten, and a great safety briefing. Aiden was very enthusiastic and was first to do each of the bridges and zip lines. He loved running across the bridges and trying to go backwards on another bridge. Sophie braved her splits over a bridge, which was incredible to see. The final drops off a platform 25 meters up with a bungee type of rope (though feet first not headfirst) was terrifying and Mom chickened out. Our time in New Zealand has brought back many memories from my time here and in Australia many years ago when I was much more adventurous!
