New Zealand - Day 4

Another stunning day today. Yesterday we had a travel day, stopping off at Tauraunga on our way to Whatakane. We took in the sights and sounds of the area and made our way owards to overnight in Ohope Beach.

Here the weather turned a bit worse for wear... we found ourselves on a deserted campsite, with the most fantastic view of the sea. We could see the whole of the sweap of 'the Bay'... the Bay Of Plenty. As the weather colosed in and a rain storm kicked up we camped down for the night.

This morning we awoke to bright blue skies and lots of lovelly sunshine. An early start was called for as we were booked on a tour. We set off at arround 8.45 am.. something of a miracle for us! We back tracked to Whatakane... pronounced Fakatarne apparently. Our meeting point was by the harbour and we proceded to check in with our tour company for the day... White Island Tours. Once signing the disclaimer.. apparently if anything happened to us it was our own fault... we headed to the boat. 9.30... we cast off heading out into the Bay. Our destination - White Island. New Zealands only active marine volcano.

Yep folks we have been stood today on an active erupting volcano! The sight of clouds of steam and a distinctly bad egg smell met us as we landed at Workers Cove.. or Crater Bay. The landscape was almost lunar, with mounds of purple and black matter, a yellow stain here and there and fumeroles gushing steam from the depths of the volcano.

The heat from the steam was tremendous, as we tramped round the sulphur cones in our hard hats and gas masks. The crater lake was awe inspiring. 70 meters across and just about the same deep. The most amazing bubbling mud pools. A real eye opener and we had the sobering reminder that the last eruption was only 5 years ago. The crater lake is due to burst any day. Land slides occur regularly especially when it rains as theres no vegetation to hold the feeble volcanic soils in place. 10 men lost thier lifes there mining the sulpher deposits.

Once back on the tour boat.. there is no direct landing, you have to use an inflatable launch from the main boat, we tucked into a snack meal... most welcoming.. though the egg mayonnaise sandwiches might have just been a bit too far!

On the run back to port we spotted some marine life. A fin was seen diving in and out of the water. The another, and another. Eventually we counted over 30 fins, of Fake killer Whales and Bottle Nose Dolphins. This pod was lazing arround on the surface... probably warming up after a night in the depths avoiding the storm. Never before have I seen so many wild mamals in such close quaters at sea. It was almost as if they were playing for us. Magnificent.

Back on dry land and we have now made the swap in land to Roturua. More volcanic activity. Tomorrow we are going to see a Geyser erupt! And maybe play in the mud.

Right. Best get back to Nettie and see what she has done to the van.. she was apparently tidying up! Last I saw there were some pictures on the van walls! Not sure how legal this is but hey! So Daniel and Phillip - your picture has pride of place on our wall!

Night.

Andrew.