A dear friend who lived in New Zealand told me that as well as seeing the normal geothermal hotspots of the North Island of New Zealand , it was a must that I visit the hidden valley at Orakei Korako which is found on the Waikato River at Lake Ohakuri. After a scenic drive, wondering if we had become lost, we came across a small café where we bought our ferry tickets and entry to the Hidden Valley. The boat journey, although short, was beautiful but nothing to the sights that greeted us as we neared the jetty of the Hidden Valley.
Up to 20 million litres of silica enriched water flows down the naturally terraced valley daily, coloured with the black, green and yellow algae which grows at temperatures of 35 – 49 degrees celsius.
The Golden Fleece terrace (I’m sure you’ll know which of the pictures it is) is the third largest of the fault scarps in the valley measuring 40 metres long and 5 metres high. It is white as a result of a white sinter coating which covers it and it is not surprising that the Maori name Te Kapua translates to mean the cloud.
Both the North and South Islands of New Zealand are full of scenic treasures but if you have the opportunity to visit the geothermal area I would reiterate what my friend Annie said “you simply have to visit Orakei-Korako. It takes you into a totally different world.”
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Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
HA! – you’re hooked!
Beautiful photos, Irene! – and isn’t it WONDERFUL to be able to show them all? Bet you’re regretting all the time during which you could’ve been showing so many more. I’m so impressed by your use of your own shots in slideshow … Mine can only be Chic’s or even whose nose? (as he liked to say). This comment is NOT designed, btw, to elicit the same response from you as last time: that’s over! [grin]
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I just point and take.There are more that should be discarded than kept but you get the odd one or two. You could do it……😀
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Really beautiful. Would like to visit this place. Wow.
Thanks for sharing.
Irene
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You’re welcome. The colours were just spectacular. Well worth a visit if you are ever there.
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I hope to be able to one day. Thanks for your inspiration.
Irene
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😀
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I’d love to see New Zealand. Of course, I’d love to see Australia too. I doubt that either will even happen so I’m thankful that you’re willing to share your experiences through your photos.
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I understand that. I love seeing your part of the world just as much and I love sharing mine with you.
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The images leave me speechless. Almost too fantastical to be real. Nature has the best paint brush. Great photographs.
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I totally agree with you. This really was a case of having difficulty believing your eyes. The colours and the patterns against the backdrop of forest green and water you really did feel you had entered another world. Thanks for the comment.
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It’s such a beautiful yellow.
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Fantastic photos. One thing that the photos don’t give is the smell of the sulphur. LOL. 😀
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I bet someone is busily working out a way to add smell to photos on the computer as we speak.😀
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Truly spectacular Irene, oh I would love to visit New Zealand one of these days, and Australia too…
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You never know….perhaps one day. Blogging has a lot to answer for – I didn’t think I really wanted to travel anymore but now seeing postings from around the world I can feel the bug inside me starting to pack her bags. 😀
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Ha! I know just what you mean 🙂
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