This was a good decision as it had several interesting exhibitions on varying historical aspects of Rotorua.
There was also an outside viewing platform on top of the roof, which was open when we arrived. But before we could actually make it to the top - it was closed - wind and rain made it too dangerous. The displays on the local Maori iwi (tribe) were particularly informative, describing how they came to colonise Aotearoa (New Zealand) around about 1200AD from the Polynesian Islands - historically called Hawaiki in their culture. A number of the Islands share the Hawaiki name, and it is thought it may be a general name for several Islands such as Tahiti, Hawaii, and the Cook Islands. Also about their contact with the missionaries and the Pakeha (Europeans), growth of tourism - people had been coming here for thermal baths since the 1800s, and stories of warring tribes (both against each other and against the Europeans).
As the viewing terrace was shut we made a tour of the basement mud baths instead. As mentioned above, people have been coming here to partake of the healing power of the thermal pools for a long time - mud, mud, glorious mud - they still sell it as gifts in the shop, packaged as a beauty product. We managed to avoid buying any of that, but did spot some rather good earrings.
Braved the outdoors again as it had stopped raining. Next on the itinerary was the Blue Lake, the Green Lake, a lookout between them and the site of the Buried Village near the lake and mountain at Tarawera.
Eric gazes at the Blue Lake from the look-out...
...and then turns the other way to gaze at the Green Lake.
A Devonshire cream tea was in order when we reached the tea rooms at the site of the buried village - a delicious scone but they really should pick up some tips from Devon/Cornwall on using clotted cream, not the whipped variety. A debate took place on whether to pay the quite high entry fee for a tour of the Buried Village and the non-Scrooge in us won out. Another excellent decision. As it had been raining heavily earlier we were advised that the waterfall in the grounds was looking very good, and as the sun was out for the moment we headed off in that direction. One hundred and fifty steps later we reached the falls.
Now back to the top to join a guided tour and have a look around the museum.
A lovely mountainside full of tree ferns on the way back from the falls.
Although the bit of the tour we had was informative, by this time the gusting wind had blown trees down in the grounds and they closed off the rest of the park, including many of the buildings that had been excavated by the archaeologists, deeming it too dangerous. We had had a brief look at them on our way to the waterfall, so not a complete wash-out.
The area had been a very important tourist area in the 1800s, with people coming to sit in the hot pools on the 'Pink Terraces' and the 'White Terraces'. The guide said they were considered the eighth wonder of the world, and that people would travel from Britain to bathe in the pools, but only stay two days (a bit like us then!).
This village, plus several others in the vicinity, were buried by mud caused by a thermoclastic explosion as Mount Tarawera was blown apart on June 10th 1886. It was an unexpected eruption. The 8km rift that opened up poured molten basaltic rock into another thermal lake causing the mud to be thrown into the air. Some of the villages close to the lake were covered by 20m of mud and over a 100 people died. The volcano is still active, but we haven't seen any ghost war canoes today so hopefully it wil be alright.
Exiting from this attraction merited further investigation of the area, including Lake Tarawera. Even though the sun was out again it was looking pretty flipping rough out there.
There was a woman on the lookout point who was waiting for husband to come across the lake in a boat as he'd gone across to the other side on Friday - she looked a little concerned.
Next on the list was the Long Mile and the giant Redwoods - except if you've seen the ones in California then these are not so giant.
Eric bravely scaling one of the Redwoods.
They are not native here either. Interesting though, as the tree ferns are growing underneath them making a nice contrast. Sign on the start of the walking tracks "High Winds - Enter Forest with Caution", so after a rather quick stroll around and a visit to the gift shop we left.
We had bought provisions for picnic on the side of one of not-so-smelly lakes but wind chill factor came into play so we retreated to the B&B and ate it in the communal kitchen there. Still managed to visit Lake Rotoiti which is further along the road from where our accommodation is, passing the Hell's Gate thermal pools on the way.
Stopping at a convenient layby we spot some more of those New Zealand Scaup, a Black Swan with seven cygnets, and some 'dabchick' - Weweia (or lots of other local Maori names) - these are considered to be vulnerable.
"Who d'You Think. You're Looking At"
Sun is setting so it's time to return and collect the washing ready for a re-pack. Tomorrow is Taupo.