Whatipu and the Ballroom Cave

Today we went to Whatipu, a west coast beach we have not visited before.

Mike in the mouth of the Ballroom Cave, fitted with a sprung dancefloor in the 1920's which apparently still survives under 5 metres of sand that has drifted in since then...

the sky just goes on forever...

grasses in the dunes...the walk to the ocean

a washed up blue-bottle jelly fish

hundreds of Oystercatchers on Huia beach a small village along the coastline

A very Good Friday!

For Good Friday we went to Tiritiri Matangi Island for the day...we saw this very cute quail chic on the path with its parents...

The Takahe were as cheaky as ever trying to steal peoples lunches...Mike at a stunning lookout spot...

crystal clear waters around the island, on the trip over we saw hundreds of blue penguins basking in the sun just floating on the surface of the sea as it was so calm...

stichbird and bellbirds

Pukeko peering at us

volcanic valley and tree houses

We stayed in this hideawy tree house at the weekend. view of the house from the extremely steep drive...

Mike soaking up the panoramic views from the tree hous deck...

Waimangu - Volcanic Valley is the worlds newest geothermal area. Created by volcanic eruptions from Mt Tarawera in 1886. Frying Pan lake is on average 55c covering 38,000sqm, its the world largest hot spring. Rather atmospheric with steam pourinf out the hillside and swirling on the lake...

all the vegetation is re-colonisation since that date. 70c crater lakes, overflowing to make a boiling waterfall and steaming streams...

Darren and Mike taking in the beautiful aqua mineral pools and silca terraces and craters...

all leading down to beautiful Lake Rotomahana with Mount Tarawera in the background.