Life Through My Eyes: Thermal Activity & Hobbits!

Rotorua is often referred to as Disneyland for tourist. I admit, it’s true! The sulpher-rich aroma that fills the air will even make you feel right at home with the stinky baby/toddler diapers of Disneyland. The great news is this area has much more to offer than screaming children with its spurting geysers, steaming hot springs and exploding mud pools. It is NZ most dynamic thermal area, and it’s guaranteed to amaze you.

Keith and I parked our home for the week at the Waikite Valley Thermal Pools RV park, and enjoyed a nice post Tongariro Crossing soak in the thermal pools before snoozing off for the night.

We woke the next morning and headed over to Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters) Thermal Wonderland. It is the largest area of thermal activity of any hydrothermal system in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The park map states that it should take around 75 min to complete the 3km footpath that navigates through the thermal activity. Keith and I are proud to say we complete all things in less than average time. Well, this time we didn’t. I think we were about 30 min over the average time. Haha. We took our time meandering along the path, reading the signs thoroughly, taking photos of every mud pool, crater, cave, waterfall, bird, etc. The experience exceeded my expectations.

Devils Bath

The Champagne Pool

Gazing

Bubbling Mud Pools

Lake Ngakoro Waterfall

It is inevitable for people to ask Keith and I when and where our next adventure is. This year when we replied, “New Zealand” the question “Are you going to The Hobbiton movie set?” was almost always the first question. The truth of the matter is we chose New Zealand for the southern hemisphere November weather and the outdoor adventure. We didn’t want to disappoint everyone though, and we had some extra time, so we made the trip over to Hobbiton! I have to say, once again, expectations exceeded! Keith and I enjoyed walking around the rolling green hills, stopping to take a photo or two at every single Hobbit hole and even grabbed a drink at the Green Dragon. Keith enjoyed it so much he wants to redo our wedding and host it there. Haha. I don’t necessarily have the desire to redo our wedding, but I would like to re-read the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.