9/6/16

Orakei Korako

Back in 2010, Hubby took us on another of his awesome 'out of the way' road trips, where we visited 
this thermal area between Taupo and Rotorua called Orakei Korako or the Hidden Valley. 

The mineral formations are amazing, when you think that the water is near boiling point.
The white is silica, the darker color is caused by microbes, not rust.

A diary entry for 11 March 1850 recorded that Maori lived
in this spot, 'to spare their women the trouble of procuring
wood for fuel'.http://www.orakeikorako.co.nz/history

For any questions, you can  find out more about it by clicking here.
If you are in the area, you will do yourself a favor by visiting.











9/4/16

some random NZ scenery

Winter in New Zealand never seems desolate as the hillsides are dotted (and sometimes filled) 
with pine trees. I think it makes winter easier to bear.




But, Taranaki seems to be green year round...


...especially when it's warm enough for the snow to be gone!