Wai-o-tapu and Rotorua

We had booked an early float plane flight,but the cloud cover was too low, so we drove down to the volcanic area of wai-o-tapu.
We arrived just in time to see the "Lady Knox" geyser burst into its daily activity, which is prompted by the addition of surfacants to happen at 10:15.

After cleaning the spray off the cameras, we drove back to the visitor centre to see the volcanic craters and pools.
We followed the official walk around the craters and pools

and then drove back to Rotorua via the mud pools

on the way back we heard a beeping sound as we were (predictably) low on petrol.  We found a filling station and then tried for what seemed ages to open the filler cap until a Toyota expert showed us where the filler cap release lever was hidden!
Our delayed flight in the only de Havilland seaplane in New Zealand had been re-booked for 14:00 so we dashed back and arrived just in time to be weighed in as the youngest passengers amongst an accompanying Saga group embarrasingly from the UK!

We navigated did a 30-minute flight (with Pete in the jump seat keeping clear of the joystick) up and around the crater of Taraweira, which last erupted in 1826.

Finally we returned to the Lodge for a relaxing spa session outside by the lake.
Dinner was taken at the top iof mount Ngongotaha, reached by gondola, affording spectacular view of the lake and surroundings.
And so to blog!
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