February 16-17, 2014

Ian is a fishing guide on Lake Tarawera.  I had a wonderful adventure to "hot water beach" where hot water from the very active volcanic area reaches the lake.  You have to be careful while walking on the beach -- just don't stop for too long or your feet will get hot.  Very fun to swim because the water temp is really warm in some places. This beach is only reachable by boat.

Mt. Tarawera.  This is a volcano which had a large eruption in 1886, which killed about 170 people and devastated the landscape. Sort of like Mt. St. Helenas. 

Yesterday we drove down to Napier on Hawk's Bay, on the East coast of New Zealand, North Island. Rafted the Mohaka River. Very fun, and I didn't even fall out of the raft. Beautiful scenery.  On the way down we stopped at Huka falls.  

 

Te Mata peak. A bird's view of Napier and surroundings. There is a winery in the distance Craggy Range. 

  

 

My companions on the river. 

All for now. Moving on to the coastal town of Mahia and staying a couple of days. Probably no internet so next post will be when we return to Rotorua.