A Geothermal Day
On our way to Rotorua
The day is clear and sunny, I wish I could say the same for the roads. We stop a lot for construction. We are driving the Thermal Explorer Highway.
The cities in New Zealand are much smaller than ours and there is so much natural beauty. This is probably because the total New Zealand population is 5.1 million.
Taupo and Huka Falls
Just before we get into Taupo, the clouds roll in. Fortunately no rain.
We first check out the Hot Water Beach but don’t go in because it’s too cool out.
Next it’s on to Huka Falls. The strength of the water is impressive and it is a gorgeous shade of icy aqua.
Wairakei Terraces and Thermal Spa
Wairakei Terraces and Thermal Spa is our next stop. We do the walk around the terraces where we can see the terraced silica pools and walk through a reconstructed Maori village.
It is now time to relax in four blue pools of varying temperatures between 34° -40°. 
It reminds me of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park
Back to the car, we head to our last sightseeing spot for the day, the Orakei Korako Geothermal Park. I laugh when I see the washrooms entitled, “Guysers” and “Galsers”.
We take a short boat ride (5 minutes) across the lake to the geothermal area and follow a 
boardwalk trail to see geysers, bubbling mud holes and steaming, boiling pools…yes they really are boiling. Click here for a short video. There are signs all over reminding people of the dangers of stepping off the boardwalk.
Meanwhile many cheery fantail birds dart though the trees. 
There is also a cave that we walk down steps to see. And lots of stairs up and down. There is even a rock that looks like an elephant. It takes us about an hour and fifteen minutes to walk through before catching the boat
back.
At our Airbnb
It is about an hour’s drive to Rotorua. We stop into a grocery store to pick up supper for tonight. We have kitchen and laundry facilities at our Airbnb tonight…and I am really tired of eating out all the time.
Our Airbnb suite is quite large and I have access to the clothesline in the beautiful garden. As I am hanging out the clothes at dusk, something walks past me. I’m really excited because at first I think it’s a little kiwi but then I realize it’s a hedgehog. I’ve never seen a hedgehog in the wild.