Splashing and steaming

Jean writes:

We had visited the Huka Falls last time we were in Taupo and recalled it as being memorable so, after stopping off at Art in the Park, near our motel, we set off the few kilometres to the Falls.  

The Waikato River is the longest in New Zealand and begins its journey to the sea South of Auckland in Lake Taupo.  The river cut deeply into the hard layers of rock North of Taupo creating a narrow channel, through which the water of the falls rushes, before the softer rocks beyond, which have been more easily eroded, allowing the river to widen and become deeper.  

The water is very clear, which gives it a blue colour, except where the air bubbles, caused by the rushing water, make it look white.  

220,000 litres of water plunge over the falls every second!

It's a beautiful sight, both above and below the falls, but the water is also useful, and not just in the tourist sense.  The Waikato river system supplies nine hydro electric power stations.  

We saw some jet boats giving tourists a thrill as they get as close as possible to the dangerous undertow caused by the plunging water.  That was par for the course really, but we were surprised to see three swans swimming serenely in the river just downstream of the falls.

Second planned stop of the day was at the Craters of the Moon, an active part of this geothermal area.  A walkway has been built around it, with "viewing" points to show off the craters, bubbling pools, steam vents, colourful soils and mud pools.  

The blurb indicates that it should take about forty five minutes, but we took nearer to two hours.  There's the geography teacher again!

This area is part of a much larger geothermal region, but came into being (more-to-less as it is today) in the 1950s when a nearby power station lowered underground water levels considerably.  The remaining water boiled more violently, producing more steam.  Large amounts of this steam escaped at Craters of the Moon, as it became known.  

Much of the plant life is specially adapted to the hot conditions and concentrated minerals here.

At one point I took the "high road", around the crater rim, while Dave took the "low road"!

Fantastic views.  

Breaking news

Dave writes:

Ran round part of beautiful Lake Taupo with extra spring in step as I've managed to get an entry for the annual Great Newham 10 k run on July 17.

It winds through Olympic Park in east London in the borough of Newham and in 2014 ended by the Olympic Stadium.

But this year with the stadium conversion work complete the finish will be in the arena itself.

I'm allowed two supporters up in the stands as I enter the stadium graced by such fellow athletes as Mo Farah, Usain Bolt etc etc!!