Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Remarkable New Zealand - Day 2!

Our second full day in New Zealand started with an exciting trip to Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland! (Doesn't that name just sound like fun!?)  Wai-O-Tapu is basically a very large natural park that is FULL of all kinds of interesting geothermal activity.  From boiling mud to erupting geysers to smoke blowing craters...we saw it all! (And smelled it all too - PEEUUH!)  After our walk through the wonderland, we drove about an hour south of Rotorua to Lake Taupo.  This is a beautiful and CRYSTAL clear lake that is famous for it's trout fishing.  Nearby are the mighty and gorgeous Huka Falls.  It was quite a rainy and dreary day, but still, the scenery was spectacular!  We went to another geothermal park called "Craters of the Moon" and then we headed back to Rotorua.  We put on some dry (and warm!) clothes because we were ready to head to the top of the mountain for some LUGING!  I can't even begin to tell you how much FUN we had racing down the mountain on the luge! (which is basically a big sled with a handlebar and wheels!)  It was cold and rainy, but that didn't even phase us because we were having such a blast!  It was most definitely one of the highlights of our time in New Zealand!!!   

1 comment:

Rufus said...

Hilarious pics of "rainy sad" Karis and Tyson, but having too much fun after pics. Loved the Mario Bros. Mushroom and the crazy faces as you prepared to Luge. Great 2nd Day...I still want to see something with Hobbits!