Tales from the South Pacific, July 13-29, 2011 - Page 10 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Very Interesting village. I'm trying to pronounce the name... Tew... Tewhak... Te... Ahhhh, cooking on the hot springs... cool!
Squirrel!
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Originally Posted by DrDolphin
Very interesting morning from the Ducks to the goethermal village! NZ is part of the ring of fire in the Pacific - so the geothermal makes perfect sense.
You nailed it, Terri!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
The geothermal village is so fascinating! I love all the photos of the buildings with steam all around-- like Brigadoon with steam instead of fog!
I just loved your observation, Laurie!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
I was wondering why it was so cold in July, but then remember that you're in the Southern Hemisphere where it would be winter in July!
Bingo! And I have been remembering being cold rather fondly of late. We haven't had a high temperature that topped out only in the 80's since about mid-June.
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Originally Posted by chezp
That looks like a fascinating place - and it reminded me of Yellowstone with those geysers....
Why yes, yes it does! And perhaps Iceland?
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great pictures from the geothermal village! Very interesting!
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Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily
Love the pics! How interesting. My husband says he went there. It's really interesting to see how they cook around the vents.
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Originally Posted by sc507
That village would have been amazing to visit. I honestly had no idea such a place existed. I know very little about NZ and its cultures - love the education you are providing me!
Can you recall any of the communal bathing etiquette rules? I'd be curious as to what they were (though I'm sure they're probably logical ones I could think up).
Love the idea of the vent cooking! What a great idea!
Sadly, I don't really remember the social conventions. I even checked their web site. I'll see if Sue took any notes.
Yes, the steam vent cooking was way cool and in the video you can see one of the places with the cover off. They actually sell corn that they have cooked, though I don't recall seeing any on offer the day we were there--maybe in the Summer!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grammy Grumpy
Just spent a very enjoyable hour reading this TR (as I burned several DVDs for our DD from our recent trip with her/family to Michigan). I am blown away by your pictures!! Can't imagine what it was like to be there in person.
In some ways I don't fully appreciate these trips until afterwards when I am reflecting back on them and looking at the pictures. There were many wonderful experiences--and more to come.
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Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
That geothermal village is fascinating! More! Please.
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Originally Posted by honeybee723
This is all so interesting. Can't wait for more!
I am working on it!
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Originally Posted by MontiMouse
Just joining in. What an amazing trip so far. Loving all the pictures.
Gee I'm not sure how I missed this! It looks like a wonderful trip so far. I traveled with EF three times while I was in high school--I got to visit France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Monaco, and Greece. I don't think I knew that they ran adult tours. I'm going to have to look into it because I remember it being fairly reasonable.
It sounds like you are having a wonderful time! Although I don't believe I would have been thrilled with the temperatures!
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Really enjoying your report. We visited the South Island, so missed the sights you've been sharing. Guess we have to go back now, after seeing your report!
The thermal village was very cool! I didn't know anything about places like that.
Parts of it were quite hot!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Gee I'm not sure how I missed this! It looks like a wonderful trip so far. I traveled with EF three times while I was in high school--I got to visit France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Monaco, and Greece. I don't think I knew that they ran adult tours. I'm going to have to look into it because I remember it being fairly reasonable.
It sounds like you are having a wonderful time! Although I don't believe I would have been thrilled with the temperatures!
It wasn't an exclusively adult tour, Heather. The different groups were organized by teachers and there were students and families. It's just that this and the Greece trip had a heftier proportion of adults than some of their tours.
I am looking back on the temperatures last year and wishing that I was there now and missing the 100's here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
Really enjoying your report. We visited the South Island, so missed the sights you've been sharing. Guess we have to go back now, after seeing your report!
I'd love to go back and see the South Island, which I missed. I was distressed that they had to endure the devastating earthquakes in places like Christchurch. Those happened before we go to New Zealand.
Tuesday, July 19, 2012 Ramblin' 'Round Rotorua, continued
Our next stop (bear in mind that all that we have done so far today has occurred before lunch) was to a recreational area called Skyline Rotorua. Upon arrival, you take a large gondola up to the top of the mountain.
We start out on the gondola up the mountain at Skyline Rotorua.
It was very bright and sunny, which explains all the reflections.
That's where we're headed.
This was definitely going to be a great vantage point to see the city and the lake.
Nice view.
Okay, one more.
Why were we here? Well, this is a place where you can luge down the mountain without snow. Some of you may have come across this before. I had not.
We stood in line to get our tickets, then in the queue to be checked out on the sleds/vehicles. As we were beginners, after the staff demonstrated the simple operation of the vehicle (turn to steer, push forward to go, pull back to brake), we were directed to the track for us; there was also a medium course and a "black diamond" (expert) track. Being a beginner did not take away from the fun.
Looking back toward the start of the luge track.
Sue and I went down in tandem--I believe she was first. There was signage along the way that advised you when to slow and when to open 'er up!
Part of the luge track. Wheeeeee!
We had a blast! It was way cool and I would have been happy to do it again.
It was a good idea to maintain a decent spacing in case something untoward happened.
Once you reach the bottom of the track, you take the ski lift back up.
We were required to wear helmets. Safety first! Sue taking a picture like the following.
We took lunch at the cafe next to the luge ticket area, with this as our view.
It turned out to be quite a lovely day.
We returned to the gondolas and made our way down the mountain to the motor coach.
Coming Up: Next stop - the Agrodome!
__________________
"&Larry"
A beautiful day in the neighborhood!
Last edited by LLaffinPlace; 07-07-2012 at 03:50 PM..
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