March 19 – Rotorua

March 19, 2016 – Rotorua, New Zealand
We started out at 7:30am to drive to Waimangu Volcanic Valley. This is where the Pacific plate and the India/Australia plate meet. The valley was created when the plates slipped causing a large volcanic eruption in 1886. We took a 1 1/2 mile hike through the valley past hot lakes, steam vents, mud springs, and hot springs. At the base of the valley is fresh water lake. We took an hour boat ride around the lake. We had a guide for both the hike and the boat ride who pointed out interesting sights.
On the way back we stopped where 2 rivers merge, one hot water and one cold water. Many in our group went in and enjoyed the heated water.
We returned to the hotel at 2:45pm and I opted to stay in and do laundry. On this tour we are up early every day and usually go until after dinner so the rare afternoon off is best for doing things like laundry.
Tonight is the Maori Cultural Show so I’ll put that out as a separate blog.