Monday, February 12, 2024 – Photo of the Day – Tauranga, New Zealand

Where in the World Are We?

In Tauranga, New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean

TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND
THE CITY’S RENOWNED MOUNT MAUNGANUI IS A POPULAR LANDMARK

Tauranga is New Zealand’s sunny capital – with wide sweeping beaches and surfers curling across cresting waves.
Climb to the top for spectacular views of the natural harbor or take winding coastal footpaths to explore the unfolding scenery. An entry point to the vast indent of the Bay of Plenty the volcanic peak of Mount Maunganui is a fittingly dramatic welcome.

Brooding geothermal energy creates spectacular natural attractions across this region while plunging waterfalls and fascinating Maori culture ensure that the Bay of Plenty has a lot to offer visitors. Said to receive New Zealand’s highest amount of sunshine the hanging kiwi citrus fruit and avocados add an exotic touch to the area’s landscape – especially around Te Puke. Vibrant teal and orange colors await at the stunning geothermal area of Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve where mud pools bubble and steam rises from the earth.

There are more hot pools and some of the country’s best scenery at Lake Rotoiti – where you can kayak across the smooth surface and enter a cave that glows gentle blue with its darkened roof illuminated by glittering glow worms. Enter New Zealand’s fantasy world with a visit to some of the country’s celebrated filming spots – which have featured as doubles for JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth’s fantasy settings. Offshore the wonderful White Island’s volcanic cone peeks from the waves and New Zealand’s most active volcano certainly knows how to put on a show belching out smoke across the water.

WAIOTAPU THERMAL WONDERLAND
Explore a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most colorful and unique geothermal elements sculpted by thousands of years of geothermal activity. These unique volcanic features can be viewed so close you can feel the steam and heat that rise from deep within the earth.

SIGHTS

• Mount Maunganui
• Kaiate Falls
• Tauranga Art Gallery
• McLaren Falls Park
• Waihi Beach
• Mills Reef Winery

Today’s Excursion – Geothermal Wonderland
Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist centers, made famous by its Maori culture and thermal waters. We discovered one of New Zealand’s natural marvels, its geothermal system on this tour.
Rotorua
From Tauranga, the drive to Rotorua begins with a scenic journey inland through the Kiwifruit country of Te Puke, the ‘Kiwifruit Capital of the World’. This small furry fruit, once known as the Chinese gooseberry, has done a great deal to boost the area’s prosperity.
Te Puia
We passed through Rotorua to one of New Zealand’s leading cultural and thermal attractions. We saw young Maori apprentices being taught the ancient art of carving and weaving before discovering the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, Rotorua’s largest and best-known thermal area. Exploration of the site is on foot and we passed boiling mud pools and the soaring Pohutu geyser. This incredible display of nature’s raw force provides insight into the awesome natural forces at work below.

Te Puia’s Māori cultural performance transported us back in time, beginning with a spine-tingling wero (challenge) from a Māori warrior followed by a traditional pōwhiri (welcome). We were then invited inside the beautifully carved wharenui (meeting house), to experience a traditional and unique Māori concert.

Today’s lunch at La Terraza