An early start. We had an early breakfast as we wanted to visit Lady Knox's Geyser in the Thermal Wai-o-tapu thermal wonderland south of Rotorua. We had been told that this erupted every morning at 10.15 precisely. We puzzled how this could be.
We arrived in time and made our what to the Geyser. The air was smelling of sulphur and all around rising from holes in the ground were plumes of gas.

A small crowd which we joined was waiting in anticipation cameras at the ready. At precisely 10.15 a Maori Ranger informed us that some prisoners who were put to work clearing land so conifer forests could be planted used to wash their clothes in the hot water of the geyser. When they added soap to the pool they were surprised by the sudden gush of hot water and gases. What had happened was that the soap had broken the surface tension tension of the underground water etc and the pressure was releasing resulting in a jet of hot water and gases rising 20ft into the air. This lasted for at least 10 minutes
This is what happens now every day. The ranger added a soapy substance into the geyser and stood back. Very shortly after a sudden gush if water, gases rise into the air. It was an interesting spectacle which lasted for at least 10 minutes.
We returned to the visitors centre and continued to tour the thermal wonderland. A circular walk which lasted 2 hours took us around geysers, multi coloured pools of water, red, yellow, green, grey etc, and bubbling mud pool etc. the landscape was as I imagined it to be on Mars.
It was certainly a fascinating and unique experience.

Mary and I returned to Rotorua where we were meeting my cousin Gail and her daughter Megan. I had not met Gail for at least 60 years. However conversation was easy. We chatted for hours talking about family history and relatives. We enjoyed an lovely Italian meal together.

Saying good bye was not easy and we agreed that it must not be another 60 years before we meet again.
An interesting and emotional day.