Thermal springs in Waiotapu

We took a tour of some thermal springs with a geologist after a bike ride and a couple of opportunities to dip ourselves in some thermal pools in the area. The pictures are from the tour: the orange pool is called "Champagne" because is continually has delicate bubbles that come to the top. The 2nd picture is of a pool that can vary from florescent green to yellow, depending upon the sunlight. Anne pointed out that I could easily hide in the pool in my bicycling jacket.

AgriDome visit

No visit to New Zealand is complete with a trp to the farm and a viewing of a local sheep shearer in action. The sheep shearers are known for their quirky sense of humor and amazing stength and endurance. The record for shearing a day's worth of sheep right now is 170, an average of 35 seconds per sheep. I am thinking they could give Lance Armstrong a run for his money, especially since a bicycle is much easier to control than a sheep. Pictures today are of the sheep shearer and me having a conversation with an emu about the weather.

Rotorua

We are now on staying in Okawa Bay near Rotorua. We went for a tramp to some mining caves and ate lunch by a good swimming hole. Did you know that more gold was taken out of New Zealand hills during the gold rush that was removed from California? Yep, 'tis true. Afterwards we went to a Maori meeting house and were initiated into the tribe. We had a lovely meal and then were invited to help clean up since we now family (clever strategy, I say!). Attached are are picture from our tramp and one of the men of our group putting on a warrior presentation with the help of our new Maori friends. Enjoy!

Had our first day with Backroads tour on the North Island. We went to Paunaui ("big Abalonie"). We took a tramp (NZ word for hike) through the woods with a local guide and learned some of the medicinal properties of the plants. Also got a chance to feed lunch meat an eel. Hence, the picture postings.

Northern tip

We took a tour of the northern tip of the North Island today. We went to the Kauri Tree Reserve. This is a magnificent tree that is now protected. It grows very tall and was used for building boats because it is to tall and straight. One of Anne's pictures hopefully captures this. We also did some dune surfing and I will try and post a video of me in action. Also attached a picture of the us driving down a river to get the sand dunes! The final activity was a drive in the bus down the 90 mile beach. I did a video of 15 min. of the trip. You will have to see that when we return. It was raining most of the day, so it was hard to not look like drowned rats!