Volcanos and Geysers and Steam (Oh my!)

Gary and the 'Fab' geyser
see all photos »

Day 19:

Stephanie, we ain’t in Pennsylvania anymore! Our drive to Taupo took us to thermal areas and volcanoes. This is a very active geologic area, where the Pacific and Australian plates meet. That means active volcanoes, geysers, boiling mud, and lots and lots of steam everywhere. This drives not only tourism, but also power generation. Not that nature doesn’t occasionally need some help. We wondered after all these years how they could advertise that the Lady Knox Geyser goes off punctually at 10:15 every day. Turns out they found out a hundred years ago that if they dropped soap in it hastened its eruption. Are we sure they don’t use the same technique at Old Faithful? Driving on these winding roads also brought out several new types of shrieks from Cathy as she tried to help me drive.

That wasn't me, it's the sulphur pool
see all photos »

Then tonight we went to a Maori ceremony and dinner. These are the local descendents of the first Polynesians to come to this area 1300 years ago. It was quite interesting, seeing their native performances and hearing their culture explained, not to mention the meal. Now when we were in Edinburgh several years ago, Cathy and I were chosen lord and lady of the medieval dinner we attended. So I guess it was no surprise that I was chosen chief of our Wiki (bus) and had to perform several ceremonial duties. Guess it’s those leadership qualities coming through! It was a lot of fun though, and we learned a lot.  I told him that if he doesn’t want to do this kind of thing, he needs to get shorter – he’s so noticeable. He thinks he must have “Sucker” tattooed to his forehead; I think people can read “Good Sport.” He performed nobly, even the part on the way back where he was forced to induce a busload of people to sing songs from their native lands. Need I say that the Aussies were the most cooperative, and also had the best song. It had something to do with kangaroos, though not the famous “my uncle roasted a kangaroo” song. We could have sung along to that one.

Icky Green Sludge Pool
see all photos »

You could’ve taken this town out of our 1960’s West or Midwest vacations. There’s a main street that is lined with motels of that era, complete with cute little motel sign names and bright neon light outlines. The place we are staying belongs in that era too! Surprisingly, only 1 in 4 people here work in tourism, so I don’t know what the rest do. (But I had the same question about Shelby!) And not the largest airport in this little town. We actually walked across the tarmac to the turbo prop plane. Remember those, Jess?

Needs no explanation
see all photos »

 Need I say that Gary and I didn’t find the attractions of Ratatouille equally enticing? I’m not saying that it’s not interesting to see evidence of the thermal activity of the earth’s core right here on the surface and all; but, to me, as scenery outside the hotel window, it leaves something to be desired. The walk around the geyser fields? Yes, interesting, but, you know, you’ve seen one bubbling mud puddle…  There were lovely names like “ChampagneLake,” “Rainbow Crater,” “Artist’s Palette,” but the most truth in advertising was “Devil’s Cauldron.” The one called “Opal Pool” didn’t resemble any opal I’ve ever seen, but, like Gary said, “Icky Green Sludge Pool” doesn’t sell many tickets. It is pretty fascinating, I have to admit. Nonetheless, I’ll take the views of the snow-capped volcanoes.

Volcano
see all photos »

New Zealand notes:

The NZ dollar is worth US $.63 here, so we get a pretty good value for our money. And for the most part there is no tipping in Aus or NZ . Refreshing that they actually pay people what the job is worth rather than expecting us to supplement it.

The restrooms are very clean down under. I don’t know if that can be attributed to the management, or that people are just more considerate here. I’ve also noticed that most every restroom (or toilet as they are called here – much more direct) has a hot air hand dryer instead of paper towels. Less mess and more ‘green’. In fact I think it’s such a good idea, I’m considering it in our next bathroom renovation. Then whenever Cathy is cold, all she has to do is to go into the bathroom and warm up! Why didn’t someone think of this before?