Diamond Geyser

Wai-O-Tapu is NZ's most colourful and diverse volcanic area. Its also home to the Lady Knox geyser which erupts religiously at 10.15am each day reaching heights of 20 metres. We duly sat waiting and a couple of
minutes later than scheduled, pesky nature, she blew!

On the Thermal Wonderland walk we took in huge volcanic craters, some formed by eruptions, some formed by internal chasms. Sulfur crusted pits, silica terraces and a steaming lake edged with red algae and bubbling with tiny beads of carbon dioxide. Mud pools plopping away and steaming, hissing fumaroles. Now to say this place smelt like a week old egg sandwich would be an understatement, it was bogging. A
few Chinese decided to bring face masks and a can of air freshener!

At midday we got the news we were waiting for which helped us to decide the next couple of days activities. On calling Tongariro Crossing HQ Jan gave good weather conditions for tomorrow so that was it decision made, we were doing the crossing. We had everything crossed for a clear run at it !?!

The route south to Tongariro took us past Lake Taupo. Fe said for some reason it reminded her of Italy. It was a beautiful day so the lake made the drive very easy-going. Shame we didn't have time to stop but
we decided to return once we had done the crossing.