Postcards From Jurassic Park

On By Suzanne@PictureRetirementIn Uncategorized

Well, not really, but our day in the Waimangu Geothermal Valley felt like the best possible combination of Jurassic Park and Middle Earth.

During our first stop in Tauranga (Celebrity Edge) we opted for a self-guided walking tour, which convinced me that if I could choose a place to live in New Zealand, this would be it. Yes, it makes a strong first impression.

When we returned on the Norwegian Spirit two weeks later, I still felt the same way. This time, we arranged a small group tour to a geothermal valley about one and a half hour drive from the cruise port.

There were many memorable highlights from our time in New Zealand, but this day was extraordinary. Our driver/guide regaled us with stories and information about the area – population, indigenous people, commerce and lifestyles along the way, making the drive pass quickly. Fields of crops, kiwi farms, apple orchards, grazing sheep, timber yards, and vineyards were in constant view.

Our full day tour included a two hour walk through the Waimangu Geothermal Valley, followed by a one hour boat ride on one of the lakes. The boat ride afforded unparalleled views of two very active geysers. A shuttle bus took us back up to the visitor center – a welcome assist since we had already walked over 10k steps, mostly downhill on a gravel path, but many inclines, as well. Once again, Malcolm and I tested our endurance against the youthful legs of the other six participants in our group and managed to not hold them up.

Geothermal activity here is something indescribable, so I will let the photos speak for themselves. Enjoy!

We are currently sitting in a hotel room in Auckland, awaiting news of our delayed departure on the Discovery Princess. If all goes well with the impending cyclone expected to arrive this evening, we should set sail toward LA by Tuesday. Our thoughts are with everyone in the path of the storm. A hurricane, by any name is still a hurricane. To that, we can certainly relate.

26 thoughts on “Postcards From Jurassic Park”

  1. New Zealand is a truly magical place and I’m so glad you had so many spectacular sites that you saw (and photographed) and some wonderful memories to take home with you – I hope the ship departed safely. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Leanne, we are still in Auckland, but scheduled to depart tomorrow, (one day delay) weather permitting. We feel satisfied with our brief overview of the country, but clearly see the advantages of a self-guided road trip – time to linger longer. We were in port at Sydney for about four hours when we changed ships, then on to Tasmania for two short stops. That was the extent of our time in Australia. Oh well, reason to return. Thanks for checking in. Hope all is well with you.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Reading the post and comments, it seems your time was very short in our South Pacific region, sadly but fun to get an overview of our corner of the world.

        The geothermal areas are so interesting but when I was in NZ, I skipped visiting them as I ‘d toured Iceland a year or so before. Thanks for showcasing the magic.

        Safe sailing on your homeward journey.

        Like

      2. Hi Amanda, we were in NZ for nearly four weeks on 2 separate cruises. We visited Napier, Picton, Tauranga, Christchurch, Dunedin, Bay of Isles, Auckland and Waiheke Island. Port days were from 5 to 7 hours. That afforded time for a quick look only, but what we saw made a wonderful impression. I can see the similarities of Iceland, but if you get the chance, it’s worth the visit. Thanks for dropping by.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Wow, some incredible sights here! We’re currently considering a visit to NZ next year, and if we go ahead I’ll definitely try to include Waimangu in our plans 🙂

    I hope the hurricane doesn’t cause too much damage and that you’re able to set sail as planned.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Sarah, Waimangu is in a region that deserves at least two or three full days to explore. Hells gate and the mud baths, lots of hot springs, hiking, etc. It seems to be a popular destination with lots of accommodations and plenty to keep you busy. I hope it makes the cut for your trip. I haven’t had time to catch up, but I think Phil and Michaela stopped there also. They will be a great resource for you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. Thanks for the wonderful photos and descriptions, Suzanne. What an adventure for you and Malcolm! I have long time friends living in northern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. I sure hope I can visit someday.

    Like

    Reply

  5. Fabulous photos, Suzanne! You know that Suzanne and Les live in Tauranga? I can’t remember the name of her blog. Phil and Michaela- the Hungry Travellers- are also waiting for the storm to pass. Good luck! xx

    Like

    Reply

    1. Ahhh…the camera. If I could return it, I would. It will likely end up gifted to one of the grand nieces. I took all of these with my new IPhone 17, and while the quality is fine for social media, I’m not sure of the print quality. Holding my breath on that one.

      Why I don’t like the camera: it doesn’t have a viewfinder so I have to rely on the screen to compose the shot. Very difficult in outdoor settings.

      The color is ‘off’ and has limited adjustment capabilities in camera.

      Zooming out at maximum range distorts the image.

      It’s fine for wide angle landscapes, but so is the phone.

      Bottom line: I will forfeit 15 pounds of cloths to carry my LUMIX GX 9 and lenses on the next trip!!!

      Thanks for asking. I’m sure there must be a realizable solution out there, but next time I will try a rental option before purchasing. Take care.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.