Lisjen auf Reisen
Lisjen auf Reisen
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Day 9 + 10 Rotorua - the stinky city

Buga: 21.02.2018

With these fragrant promises, we headed southeast, to the center of the North Island. Rotorua translates literally to 'two lakes', although it is actually located near five lakes of different colors. The Māori people also call the region Whangapipiro - the terribly stinky place. Even several hundred meters before entering the town, a sulfurous, rotten smell sneaks into my nose. In the city park, even the last person with a blocked nose can smell it. Several thermal springs, mud volcanoes, and yellow glowing sulfur rocks form a bizarre cityscape. The historical English Gardens of Rotorua, which date back to the time of the first British settlers and appear tidy and well-maintained due to their symmetrical arrangement, do not match the brightly lit and hot steamy natural spectacle.

Hot Pools in the City Park
Hot Pools in the City Park
The English Gardens at the Bathhouse
The English Gardens at the Bathhouse

A few minutes from Rotorua is the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Park. Many thermal springs were formed here due to a tectonic weakness of the earth's crust. Numerous hot pools, such as the Champaign Pool, glow and steam in different colors. The major highlight of the thermal park was the Lady Knox Geyser. This geyser was accidentally discovered around 1900 by prisoners. The prisoners wanted to wash their clothes in the river. A piece of soap fell into the water and caused a violent chemical reaction. The geyser is still fed today, punctually at 10 o'clock, with a soap-like mixture, causing it to erupt every day anew. It is an experience to watch a so-called force of nature being artificially triggered by human hands (it was still worth a great photo, and the geyser would erupt naturally - just not as frequently).

'Devil's Bath' in Wai-O-Tapu

Lady Knox Geysers
Lady Knox Geysers

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