The Fire Demons --- Rotorua

It is only appropriate that the last blog left us escaping the cruel winds, cold, and heavy rains of Mt. Tongariro not unlike a famous Maori leader.  As the Maori legend goes, an early spiritual leader from the Te Arawa tribe, Ngatororirangi,  upon arrival in Rotorua, had to stand on the summit of Mt. Tongariro to claim the surrounding land for his tribe.  Since there was no forest service to forbid his tramp, he reached the top and almost died from the icy wind and cold until fire demons were sent to his aid.  Now you might wonder where I am going with this ----- The fire demons left a geothermal trail giving these places the thermal activity still seen today especially in Rotorua.  Thus starts our adventure.

A bit eerie -- right?  Even as you drive into Rororua along the streets steamy vents are visible --- even in some backyards.

We started our explorations with a beautiful walk around Blue Lake which combines beach and bush for a pleasant first hike.

And now just a quick jaunt amidst the Redwoods in the Whakarewarewa Forest.

So Cool!

Friday was our day to wander the Waimangu Volcanic Valley which was created by the eruption of Mt. Tarawera on June 10th, 1886.  This is the youngest geothermal system in the world.

 

Even the streams are boiling.  You are very aware that you are walking along the Pacific "Ring of Fire" - the boundary between the Pacific and India/Australia tectonic plates.

Inferno Crater's beautiful blue lake is known as the window down to the earth's molten core --- it plays a vital role in monitoring New Zealand's volcanic activity.  It is highly acidic and can get up to 80 degrees Celsius.

As you follow the walkway you can hear the eerie sounds coming from the hot springs and fumaroles.

Now we boarded a boat to learn about Lake Rotomahana.  This basin is described as characteristic more of an active volcanic crater than just a hydrothermal system.

Fumarole Bay

This large fumarole emits steam at 101.7 degrees Celsius.

Donne Cliffs

The red coloring is caused by iron oxide.

Now most visitors board a bus at this point but not these hardy Coloradans.  We continue to hike Mt. Haszard (a bit like its name) and then walk through the whole valley again.  It was a pretty amazing sight!

Back to the Whakarewarewa Forest on Saturday to do the Quarry hike  before a relaxing soak at the Polynesian Spa in their Lake Spa overlooking Lake Rotorua --- hot mineral rock pools and heated lounge chairs provided some well deserved relaxation.

Before heading back to Auckland, we visited the Rotorua Museum on Sunday.  This is a beautiful building and was once the acclaimed Rotorua Bathhouse.  People traveled from all over the word to take the "curative waters".

The history of the bathhouse was a bit sketchy when you view the depths of the basement where mud bath treatments took place.  I kept thinking about what they did with the big tubs of mud ---- Were they reused --- "Yuck"

And then there were the treatments involving water and electricity ---- that couldn't have been good---

An hour glass?  Really??

The tour of the museum starts with a very entertaining movie --- the benches tremble and rock as the volcano on the screen erupts.

We escaped the fire demons of Rotorua just in time to enjoy the paintbrush of the angels over our cottage on Rangitoto View Road.

Night night!