Rotorua December 15-16

We arrived in Rotorua in the afternoon.  We immediately embarked on a hike through the redwood forest.  Redwoods were imported here from California over a hundred years ago.  They, like the pines from California, grow faster here, and are therefore a softer wood.  The pines are a huge export industry.  The redwoods, like California, are now for tourists.

We are walking an elevated path that is suspended from tree to tree, thus protecting them.

 

Those things hanging from the trees are light sculptures.  We came back at night for the light tour, which is also from the suspended path, very cool.  Pictures barely capture the experience.

 

The next morning we went to Te Puia, which is a park that houses both a geothermal valley and activities devoted to understanding Maori life, arts, and culture.

First the geothermal:  Pohutu Geyser, which is the largest in the Southern hemisphere.  We were lucky (and patient) enough to catch it erupting.

And mud pools aplenty.

 

Then we turned our attention to the Maoris.

The park is home to the school of Maori arts and crafts.  We were able to watch students learning how to carve stone, jade, and bone as well as weave all manner of clothing and accessories from flax.

Finally, after a relaxing late lunch, we headed to the hot spring pools to soak in the spring-fed mineral baths.