© irene waters 2017
Nothing I have seen has given me an appreciation of the elements, air, water, wind, and fire in one place more than in the geothermal regions of the world. In this case New Zealand. The earth cannot be ignored. It is stark, sometimes colourful. Always powerful.
© irene waters 2017
It lets you know of the fire burning deep within its surface heating all that lies near. The water reaches boiling point and has to find a way to the surface the pressure becomes so great. The conduit being small and the pressure high it sends the boiling water high into the air above.
© irene waters 2017
As your awareness of the earth is at its height so is your awareness of the air around you. It is not country fresh nor city polluted. It is the ‘smell of hell’ as the ancients called the acrid stink of sulphur.
© irene waters 2017
Suddenly a puff of wind blows the vapour honing in your awareness of the wind.
Elemental.
In response to weekly photo challenge
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
excellent illustration of the elements!
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Thank you Tina.
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Sulphur has an awful and powerful stink. These photos show the power of the blowhole – thank heaven I can’t smell it through your blog.
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Yes it is lucky that we don’t have that capability – yet. I’ll never forget my time in Reykavik and the smell of sulphur that just hung over the town. In bathrooms it didn’t seem able to escape and the stench was horrendous. It was no wonder that all icelandic locals had the most blemish free skin imaginable.
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Sulphur is good for the complexion? I had no idea.
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I guess because of its antibiotical properties. I can’t remember but I imagine sulphur antibiotics were effective for staph infections.
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An amazing phenomenon and region I would like to see one day. Even the smell seems appropriate – a complete sensual experience. Nice choice for the challenge. Thanks for taking us there.
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Glad to take you there. It certainly is elemental and also uses every sense you have. It is an amazing place.
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Magnificent shots !!!
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Thank you Zee.
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Welcome 💜
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