New Zealand: Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley & Pohutu Geyser; Mt Tarawera Eruption, Te Wairoa Buried Village & Wairoa Waterfalls; Natural Bush Hot Pool Eco Cruise; Kuirau Park Hot Foot Baths

In the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley lies the Pohutu Geyser which erupts 1-2 times per hour and is the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere. 

 

 

Mt Tarawera erupted in June 1886 and obliterated the Pink and White Terraces - a world famous natural tourist attraction.  The Maori villages of Te Wairoa, Te Ariki and Moura were buried under 65 feet of mud and over 150 people died.  Now there is a museum documenting the devastation, an outdoor museum combining archaeological finds and recreated sections to show Te Wairoa village life, and natural areas including the Wairoa Waterfalls

Our captain provided great commentary as we motored across Lake Tarawera to a natural bush hot pool.  

 These children were NOT delighted to see us and one even asked his parents "When are they going to leave?" We were enjoying ourselves and were not going anywhere until we and our guide were ready!

 Visiting the Kuirau Park Hot Foot Baths is a Rotorua tradition.