David at the Pohutu Geyser in Rotorua - North Island NZ
My garden yesterday and the lost pandas!
Yesterday another 700+ people with confirmed coronavirus in hospital died. As I write we are expecting the Government Coronavirus Briefing from Downing Street later today. We all realise the message . . . 'Stay at Home . . . Protect the NHS . . . Save Lives' is vital to combat this terrible coronavirus pandemic. It is expected that the lockdown will continue for a few more weeks. Thankfully our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is now out of intensive care, and indeed has been discharged from hospital. So I pray for everyone throughout the world . . . especially those who have sadly lost loved ones.
I took this photo of my camellia bush this morning. It is in full bloom!
My last view of Harry and Helen's farm in Gisborne as we left for our journey to Rotorua
After a wonderful week, staying with Harry and Helen in Gisborne, my New Zealand adventure continued with further exploration of the North Island. Harry and Helen drove me to Rotorua to meet up with Susie and Alan. It was a spectacular four hour drive.
The highlight of our drive from Gisborne to Rotorua was the Waioeka Gorge. The Waioeka Gorge has spectacular bush and river views. The gorge cuts through the steep-sided hills of the Huiarau Range rising from 400 metres near the coast up to 1000 metres inland. The soils are rich having been showered with volcanic ash over thousands of years. The lush bush includes canopies of tawa, rimu, miro, totara and nikau palms plus stunning tree ferns. We stopped at Harry and Helen's favourite picnic stop next to the river. We were treated to some of Helen's home-made egg/ham pie. It was delicious!!
The Waioeka Gorge cuts deep through the Huiarau Range - North Island NZ
View of the distant White Island Volcano from Whakatane - North Island NZ
Sheryl and Andy's home overlooking Lake Rotorua
Lake Rotorua is geologically separate from the other lakes in the area. Interestingly it was created in a 'caldera' which was formed by a crater caused by a volcanic eruption about 200,000 years ago.
In the fading light we could look across the lake and see the twinkling lights of Rotorua
Magical glow-worms in the caves at Waitomo
* photo courtesy of Waitomo.com
Alan and Susie at the exit of the Waitomo Cave
following our amazing journey by boat to see the glow-worms.
Susie, Alan and David in-front of a Hobbit residence!
...... the opening sentence of 'The Hobbit' ......"An Unexpected Party"
The spectacular Pohutu Geyser in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley in Rotorua
Lynne and David . . . . Rotorua 1982 David . . . . Rotorua 2019
Video of the Pohutu Geyser . . . . truly awesome!!!
We loved the sound of the bubbling mud pools!
It is called . . . . . Nga Mokai-A-Koko. This active mud pool is the largest and most impressive at Te Puia. It has a depth of between 6 -10 metres (about 20 to 33 feet). Activity in this mud pool is dependent on recent rainfall. We were lucky to see Nga Mokai-A-Koko in action! The steaming bursts of mud reach temperatures of up to 95 degrees Centigrade.
Alan, Susie and David enjoying a Maori cultural performance.
Alan definitely entering into the spirit of the occasion!
Maori carving . . . . New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute . . . . Te Puia
Susie, Alan and I enjoyed exploring the National School of Maori Carving, Weaving, Stone and Bone Carving which is also located in Te Puia. It was established in the 1920's to foster all aspects of Maori culture. Talented students from all around New Zealand are trained under the guidance of master craftspersons. We were amazed at the truly beautiful Maori craftwork on display which are described as 'taonga' (treasures). We were also able to watch demonstrations of carving and weaving.
Susie in the Whakarewarewa Red Woods
This NZ mountain biker 'photo-bombed' the photo I was taking of Alan and Susie
at the end of our time in the Whakarewarewa Forest!!
Our bus that was to take us from Rotorua down to Wellington
Our time in Rotorua had come to an end. Susie, Alan and I were so grateful to Sheryl and Andy for looking after us during our stay at their beautiful home overlooking Lake Rotorua. We also said good bye to Harry and Helen who then returned home to Gisborne. The next day we boarded the 'InterCity' bus that was to take us to our next stop on our New Zealand adventure . . . . Wellington!
You can find out more about our time in Wellington in my next blog . . . 'Journey to The Land of the Long White Cloud (3)'
'Stay at Home' . . . . . 'Protect the NHS' . . . . . 'Save lives'
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Take care!
David