Our day-long trip to White Island was so extraordinary that it will take me 3 posts to do the experience justice. White Island is the site of New Zealand's most active volcano and is located 49 kilometers (30 miles) north of Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty. Whakatane (pronounced Fahkatawny) is a charming and scenic community about 90 minutes from Rotorua. While waiting for our departure to the island, we spent some time driving and walking around this seaside city. We happened across a beautiful flowered hillside in the heart of town with a long stairway to the top. Panels of glazed tiles are mounted on every stair featuring flora and fauna from the bottom of the sea all the way up to the sky - the world's first vertigraph!
I can't get over how luscious everything is in NZ. Great pictures - I look forward to reading and seeing more about your adventures with the volcano.
ReplyDeleteWhite Island is amazing!
ReplyDeleteHUGE King fish to be had near the Island!
Have you been to the Buried Village near Lake Tarawara. Another "must see"!
What a great adventure! I learned a new word today: vertigraph. The last picture reminds me of the steps in Muscatine with the Mississippi in the background. I can't wait for chapters 2&3!
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