Volcanoes National Park

At time of booking the Volcanoes National Park would have been one of the very big highlights of our trip, as places with volcanic craters, a lava lake and active lava flows, while still being easily accessible, are hard to find elsewhere in the world (therefore this place is also called “drive-in volcano”).

Now, the park changed quite a bit between May and July 2018:

“Beginning in May, 2018, the lava lake that existed inside Halema‘uma‘u crater disappeared and lava flows from Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater have ceased. There is no molten lava or lava glow to see anywhere in or out of the park.”

A highly recommended movie about the events here:

https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm

But on the positive side, the park had re-opened (after another closure due to government shutdown in January, just a few weeks before our visit). Even without molten lava the park was still worth a visit: the Kilauea Caldera is still impressive. The views on lava flows of the 70ies are also nice to see, and a hike over the Manua Ulu eruption(s) (1969 – 1974) on hardened lava structures is a very extraordinary experience.

Coromandel

First stop today: Hot Water Beach. Well, that was literally hot! You need: low tide (plus/minus 2 hours), a shovel and you’re ready to dig your own hot water pool. The water pouring out is either cold, warm or boiling hot. But you’ll realize it soon enough.

Hot Water Beach

Close to it is the Cathedral Cove. Very picturesque – very touristy. But again, just do the side-walk to a lookout and you’re alone.

Sailing Rock

On partially unsealed roads we passed the Waiau Falls (good for a short swim) and reached our campground at Shelly Beach near Coromandel just before the nice sunset.

Shelly Beach

Rotorua Geothermal Fields

The North Island lies on the “ring of fire”. Tongariro, Taupo, Rotorua and the White Island are all part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is one of the most active volcanic area on earth.

On our way to Rotorua we visited three geothermal fields:

Orakei Korako (incl. Rainbow terrace):

Orakei Korako

Wai-O-Tapu (skipped the famous, but artificial Lady Knox Geyser):

Wai-O-Tapu

Te Puia (incl. famous Pohutu Geyser, erupting around 20 times per day, up to 30 meters):

Pohutu Geyser