As we only had a couple of days left in Rotorua we decided that we had to see a few things before we left so as i said before we did the maori show. next we decided to visit some of the Geothermal areas that surround Rotorua.

So from the moment you enter Rotorua, you know you are somewhere like nowhere else. Lazy drifts of steam are emitted from cracks, crevices and culverts in parks, gardens, pathways and even residential streets. These constant steam drifts, together with the distinctive scent of sulphur, let you know you are in Rotorua, New Zealand - the centre of an active thermal area.

Just minutes from city centre, you will see geysers of hissing, steaming, scalding water roar from deep within the earth's crust and hurl spray 100ft into the air. Pools of bubbling mud pop and belch like pots of porridge.

In geothermal fields south and north-east of the city, crater lakes are constantly refilled with hot water, rich mineral deposits paint the landscape from a multi-coloured palette from white to turquoise, steam escapes from cracks in cliff faces - and your camera will work overtime to record the stark beauty and splendour of our volcanic landscape.

Towering volcanoes, now dormant, are unmistakeable reminders of the land's turbulent past. Over time many volcanic caldera (a basin formed when the earth slumps following the emptying of a magma chamber during volcanic activity)

At 290m above sea level, Rotorua is located on a volcanic plateau which encompasses most of the Central North Island. Geological records show ceaseless activity in this area for millennia, ranging from minor hot springs through to huge prehistoric ignimbrite flows which smothered the entire landscape. Most 'recent' eruptions were the Taupo eruption of around 1800 years ago and the Tarawera eruption of 1886.

So one of these areas we visted was the Te Puia Thermal area or the Whakarewarewa Valley.

We spent the afternoon walking around the vally looking at the thermal pools and the highlight is the Pohutu geyser it can erupt up to 30 meters high after getting some cool photos we called it a day

That evening we headed out for a fair well drink with the other skydivers that bri works with the evening was a good laugh far to much beer though but hey it as a leaving do...

We left the next day and headed to hamilton but this is only a quick stop over as we fly to Brisbane tomorrow cant wait back to the sun........

Catch up soon