New Zealand Diary, Day 14 afternoon

Day 14, afternoon: Wild, Wild Life
The lady at The Redwoods visitor’s center had also clued us in to a couple of lakes in the region, one with a bird-viewing boardwalk. So after enjoying a fine repast purchased from the deli at the local Countdown supermarket, DW and I drove back out Tarawera Road to the Okareka loop. (The info lady had pronounced it oh-CARE-ih-kuh, but I really think it should be OH-kah-RAY-kah.)

The road took us up and over a pass, then down through a little residential area to the lakeside. We came to a small parking area next to a boat ramp, where we found a map posted with directions to the bird sanctuary. We followed the directions, and in less than five minutes we were at an even smaller parking area on a small hilltop overlooking the lake. From there, a well-marked path led down through the brush to the boardwalk built along the shallow shore of the lake.

The first birds we came to were a group of swans. Most of them were some distance out in the lake, but one mother bird and several cygnets were quite close to shore. DW got a couple of very nice shots of them. Partway along the boardwalk there was a photographer’s blind built a bit further out into the lake. We went out to it, but when we opened the door a pair of swallows flew out the window. We saw their nest on the inside wall, and not wanting to disturb them anymore, we returned to the main path.

The boardwalk led back to the shore, where the path continued through a large patch of wild ginger. There was a lot of activity in this ginger, since it was in bloom, mainly in the form of largish blackbirds with a white tuft on the throat. They were lapping the nectar from the ginger blooms. They mostly didn’t mind us, but didn’t sit still long enough to get a good close photo.

There were also some reeds along the shore where a pair of swans was wading, rather than swimming.

We went on down the track, between pastureland and a small stand of trees. From there we could see the houses built on the hill above the lake, and several pleasure craft making their way back to the docks and ramps on the north side of the lake. (After all, it was around 4:30 pm.) Soon we decided we weren't likely to see any more different species, so we started back.

As we got to the reedy area where the pair of swans had been wading, we saw them in the grass and reeds quite a bit closer to the path. DW went ahead alone to a spot about even with them, and took a couple of photos. After she had passed the area, I followed, and the birds seemed undisturbed by us.

The Redwoods information lady had told us of walking tracks that went around the Blue Lake (or Tikitapu), and out to the Green Lake (or Rotokakahi). It so happened that the southern part of the Okareka loop was also the access road to the Blue Lake. As we drove past, though, we saw that it was even yet quite crowded with families on holiday, with their children and dogs, their inflatable rafts and balls, and their portable barbecues and lawn chairs. The bird sanctuary, by contrast, had been fairly sparsely populated with humans. We had made the right decision.

Back at the Rotorua Motor Lodge, we consulted with Faith about a restaurant for supper. She suggested both a Thai and an Indian restaurant, pretty much across from each other on Tutanekai street, downtown. She also told us if we wanted to take a walk after supper, we should visit the Kuirau council park near the hospital.

We cleaned up and drove downtown, finding a parking space on Tutanekai, just north of Arawa, that was no longer being metered (as it was past 5pm). We found The Thai Restaurant–its actual name–immediately, where delectable aromas wafted through the open windows. We asked to be seated at a table near the window, and the hostess said, “That one is reserved for 7:00, but if you can be done by then you are welcome to sit there.” It was just about 6:00, so we readily agreed. The service was very pleasant and unhurried, but still speedy enough that we finished in plenty of time. The food was excellent. While we sat there, a rain storm pelted the street, then moved on, so that it wasn’t even drizzling by the time we left.

Following directions we had been given, we drove west on Arawa Street until it ended in a roundabout at Ranolf. We could see a large green expanse in front of us. We turned north on Ranolf and followed it around past the hospital to the entrance to Kuirau Park. We immediately knew why it had been recommended to us: it was filled with geothermal hot pools! In fact, most of them were so hot there were fences around them to keep people out.

Many of the pools were full of clear water, but there was one very near the entrance carpark that was quite muddy. This photo doesn’t really show how muddy it was, but if you look closely you can see bubbles. (Cliquez á embiggenez.)

This somewhat colorful bird seemed to be enjoying the steam treatment. Maybe he was pondering whether it was worth it to go fishing in the scalding water.

This pool was apparently a flowing spring, and had no regard for the fence. After all, the fence is there to keep people away from the water, not the other way around. I did bend down to touch this water, and it was hot even as it flowed along the ground, but not hot enough to scald at that point.

On the east side of the park along Ranolf Street, there are several flower beds planted, along with trees and tree ferns. There is also this large pond, which is not hot, with the Rotorua Aquatic Center on the other side.

We were quite worn out after our walk in the park, and headed back to the motel for a good night's sleep. After all, we were going back to The Redwoods the next day to take a different track!