Day 2: Rotorua, New Zealand

Chinese Version / 中文版本

Today's schedule was packed with many activities. We started off the day with a local Mc Donald's Kiwi's big breakfast, which tasted so-so. In my opinion, I'd prefer the one-piece sausage we usually have rather than these two big and dry sausages. In the meantime, we were hurrying ourselves to go to the famous Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Having studied Geology in college, I am so enchanted by every art-craft of our mother nature, be it a volcano or a geyser. And I was so lucky that I could see both today in Rotorua.

Lady Knox Geyser was waiting patiently for us

The reason we were in a rush to the thermal park was that we needed to see the Lady Knox Geyser. It only erupts once a day at 10:15 a.m.. First we had to buy the ticket in the park entrance, then we had to drive to the other side, as the geyser was located remotely from the thermal park. The direction sign wasn't clear enough and we ended up detouring back to the highway.

After a while to figure out the right direction, we finally arrived at the Lady Knox Geyser. There were many audiences, fortunately we went there just in time. Prior to this trip, I had already started to think that why it would erupt daily at 10:15 a.m.. According to my experience in Iceland, geysers usually erupt in an irregular time manner. Then I got to realize that this Lady Knox Geyser was actually erupted semi-artificially. After the brief introduction by the staff, he put something (later find out it was surfactant) into the chamber. The geyser began to erupt in few minutes, the water jet reached almost 20 feet in the air and lasted for almost an hour.

People could stand closely to the geyser to take picture, and the water was not as hot as it might seem. Sometimes it splashed on our faces and the cool drops did freshen us up in the early morning. Although it isn't as 'natural' as we thought, it is indeed a good place to visit, if you are interested in geothermal landscapes.

We're waiting for its eruption

Crazy water jet

Our rental Prius

Afterwards, we started our 2-hr walk in the thermal park. The thermal park is very big and there are many geothermal landscapes such as mud pools, hot-springs and lakes. The most impressive one is of course the Champagne Pool. This beautiful pool is consisted of 2 different colors - orange and green. Accompanied by the blue sky and the green trees in the background, it certainly shows a big contrast of colors in one's eyes. Despite it looks dreamy with the steaming water, it is actually so hot that it can boil your finger in no time. Friendly reminder: Don't EVER try to put your hands in it, unless you want to have your hands cut off. Because of the sulfur, the park is smelt like boiled eggs. Other than that, this thermal park is quite spectacular and full of wonders and it is definitely worth a visit.

Devil's home

Starting our 2-hr walk in the park

Little lake

The lake looks like a mirror

My favorite Champagne Pool

It surely kills many films, if only we still used films nowadays

Speechlessly breathtaking

The lava

Oyster pool

A big lake - the last stop of the designated route

Devil's bath - never know devil likes green

The dancing mud-pool

In the afternoon, we began to drive to Lake Taupo, where is approximately 1 hour away from Rotorua. On the way, we accidentally went to another unexpectedly beautiful sight - Huka Falls. It is a rapidly flowing river, yet the water is not turbid but stays emerald greenish. If it's the season, it's not bad to join a rafting trip there. The speed of the boat must be fulfilling. 

When we continued our way to Taupo, we were distracted by another sight - Kinloch - again on the way. Kinloch is a tranquil village by Lake Taupo, it takes roughly 20 minutes to there from Taupo. Kinloch is an alluring place, where has a little beach and people can have the most intimate touch with the lake water. The water was very cold and dense, that we could feel the texture was thicker than normal water when we put our hands in the lake. If our time allowed, I'd love to stay there for more days just to indulge myself in such peaceful environment.

Hukas Falls

The green  water  is the highlight

I wish I could touch the water

Volcano

Kinloch -  the magic of nature

I wish I could live there

Lake Taupo - why the weather was so cold???

On the empty road

Unfortunately, we had a very hectic schedule of today and we needed to leave for Taupo after the amazing moment we spent in Kinloch. Taupo is just another boring little town of New Zealand, and the scene of Lake Taupo is nothing in comparison with the Lake Taupo we had just seen in Kinloch. As a result, we decided to drive back to Auckland right after a short visit in Taupo. 

Following the series of getting lost, having dinner and going to the wrong exit, we did manage to arrive at Auckland at around 11 at night. We abandoned the hostel that we had booked and decided to just find one cheaper lodge in the city instead. Auckland is a big and busy city, it's not easy to just find a cheap accommodation, especially in the dark. Luckily, there are many Chinese immigrants/students. In the end, because of the help of one Hong Kong guy who works at a snooker place, we were recommended a cheap 'hotel' just right next to the corner. Finally we could call it a night~

On the way to city - Taupo

Lake Taupo is incredibly big

Fall is coming~