April 2, 2023
On a misty day, we walked through some beautiful wetlands and up through the bush before coming to the Kaitoke hot springs. Thermal activity heats the water running down a small stream and creates small hot pools along its path. The pool we bathed in was almost too hot to get into. Lauren had finally found New Zealand water warm enough to enjoy, having steadfastly avoided the cold ocean water.
Walking along the path, we came across a number of silver ferns, which have become a symbol of New Zealand. Rugby fans will have noticed them on the uniforms of the All Blacks, New Zealand’s iconic rugby team. The ferns are actually only silver on the bottom of the fronds.
Mal and Lauren 