The Geothermal Highway

Ok two geologists, a highway called "geothermal" how could anyone go wrong?  HA!  Off to Rotorua to see some volcanic vents, bubbling mud pools and of course some wineries.  The garden across from our hotel in Rotorua had open steaming vents, an old "bath house" built in the early 1900's for "taking of the waters" as well as helping WWI vets recover from their injuries.

This was now a museum with a bit of history though the baths were closed due to "geothermal issues".  We did not ask as I was wondering if we should drive away and drive quickly, but there were no volcanic explosions.  We did manage to go see the Wai-o-tapu geyser that goes off every day at 10:15.  Ok now how the heck do they know the exact time?  Well they drop some soap into it.  This changes the surface tension of the underlying water and the geyser goes.  This was originally found out by the prisoners in the area who were building a road. They found a hole with hot water and figured they could bath and wash their clothes.  Imagine their surprise when they put soap into the hot pool and it blew their clothes into the trees.....cool.  We wandered through this amazing landscape afterwards.  An area full of different coloured pools of water (depending on chemcial content) right up to the bright flourescent green one, appropriately called "The Devil's Bath".  There are any number of flightless birds here including "kiwis" as well as the blue Pukeko, see the picture.  Off afterwards to Napier located on Hawkes Bay. 

For those unfamiliar with New Zealand, this is wine country.  Of course, we took a wine tour around some smaller vineyards in the area.  Somehow we came away with four more bottles of wine and port.  As the Burrages in France say "is there any wine tour you have not been on?"  No, I don't think so.  Speaking of France , I think right now would be a good time to invade the country.  It would appear the entire popoluation of France is in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup.  I have heard more French spoken here than I did in France.  Ok, off to Wellington to see Canada beat the New Zealand All Blacks.  Oh yeah right like that is going to happen.