Tikitere, named Hell’s Gate after a comment made by the
Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, is an area of violent geothermal
activity located close to Rotorua City.
Being privately owned, an entrance fee is charged to
visitors – in my view, it is money well spent to experience this amazing place
where “myth and legend come to life, where the earth boils, mud heals, and
steam disappears into the clouds above.”
One of the quieter gems of Tikitere is Kakahi Falls, the largest
natural hot water falls in the Southern Hemisphere.
The waterfall is a constant 40 degrees Celcius (about the
temperature of a hot shower), and was a sacred place where local Maori warriors
came to bathe to help heal their battle-weary wounded bodies.
It was here they could wash away the lingering spirits of
war before they returned to normal life in their village.
This healing tradition continues today, with the spa
opportunities offered at the site. I
found the scenery awe-inspiring enough, without covering myself in thick mud!
Have a happy day 😊
Margaret.
Looks and sounds a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
The falls are amazing and although I'd love to see them I wouldn't care for the mud treatment either.
ReplyDeleteThis is one we have not visited ... it's on my list now, thank you. Are there only mud baths, or are there also thermal pools? I thought not from your description. (Roll on the Vaccine!!)
ReplyDeleteI believe there are pools as part of their spa, but no public pools that I know of.
DeleteThanks Margaret. I need to check it out before we do our planning for our next holiday.
DeleteIt is one I haven't visited either. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteThats amazing and beautiful. F lived for a few months in Rotorua's Forest Training Centre when she first left home. It was all new and eye-opening for a 16 yr old kid from rural Southland/Sth Canterbury, but she never visted those falls. They are on the must do list now too.
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit that place. My son is actually in Iceland to observe the volcano. My children often go there and go to an outdoor spa with hot water
ReplyDeleteThe bue lagoon.
Have a nice day
Oh, I would enjoy just being there, too.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I could do without the mud, but I would enjoy a visit very much. When I am out birding mud seems to find me like iron filings to a magnet and it doesn't cost me a cent!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and fascinating place. One day I'll get to New Zealand. B x
ReplyDeleteI remember that being a beautiful walk. NZ has so many of these wonderful places, bush and water and local history. Thanks
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Such a rare a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place!!! Just watching, seems it can heal one's weary soul. -smile-
ReplyDeleteOhhhh, interesting,all the other aspects of this area!!!!! Ohhhhh....
🌷🌿🌷
That is paradise!!! Every inch in New Zealand is!!! Stay safe dearest Margaret!
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing and would like to visit there too. No thanks to the mud though.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty spot Margaret - I must explore it! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteStay safe
Blessings
Maxine
Oh my goodness, that place is unbelievably beautiful. I think, like you, I would skip the mud :)
ReplyDeleteSe ve precioso. Un beso.
ReplyDelete