New Zealand: Wai-O-Tapu – Craters & Steamvents
Wai-O-Tapu is perhaps the most famous of the many geothermal attractions in Rotorua. Here, the colors really burst into an incredible variety of the entire rainbow – there are yellow sulfur lakes and crystals, there are bright red and orange terraces along the steaming hot blue lakes, there are fluorescent green craters, and grey and white bubbling mud-pots. The Waiotapu Stream runs through the area, featuring the Oyster Pool and the Artist’s Palette, where mineral deposits create a colorful palette of ochre, red, and orange. It’s absolutely surreal and feels like you are walking on Mars. Wooden walkways protect you from the overheated and dangerous ground.
