Silica Terraces at Orakei Korako

More Silica Terraces

Bill & LeAnne at Soda Fountain

Day 8 (12/29): After a van shuttle to get us out of the traffic in Rotorua, we rode off through the countryside. The weather was a bit wonky with bits of rain and a strong headwind. At the lunch spot most of us, including me, chose to shuttle over a hilly gravel section, while the hammerheads, including Bill, rode it. After the gravel section, all of us continued the ride over some more hilly sections, including a two Torrey Pines unit hill, with a strong wind, to our destination, Orakei Korako. Orakei Korako is a geothermal area that includes silica terraces, hot pools, geysers, caves and mud pools. We ferried over to the thermal area and took a walk around. It was amazing to stroll along looking at the sights with vents sending out steam and the ground bubbling. From Orakei Korako, we shuttled to Taupo. In Taupo, we stayed at a homestay, a type of New Zealand bed and breakfast. Our group was split up over three to four different homestays. Bill and I were at The Loft. Another delicious meal and premier accommodations with a New Zealand hospitality flair.

Aladdin's Cave

Bubbling Mud