Whakatane. Volcanoes! Dolphins! Absolutely mind blowing! (Whakatane)

Member Name: rachelmerrey

Product:	Whakatane
Date:	15/03/01 (184 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Experience nature at its best.

Disadvantages: Take some sea sickness tablets!

Whakatane is quite a large seaside town in the North Island about 1 and a half hours drive east of Rototura. It has spectacular views and if you are looking for a place to stay at a reasonable price try the White Island Rendesvous which is brand new. The rooms are huge complete with double bed, cable TV, ensuite, kitchenette with even a microwave and the decor is tres modern! They treat you to a free coffee in their cafe which offers even the most sophisticated coffee guzzler an amazing variety of choice.

The main attraction to this town is it being the portal to White Island which is an active volcano you are able to walk around with an experienced guide. I highly recommend a company called 'Peejays'. The family run business have been visting the island for 17 years and are very experienced and professional. Believe me you need to feel in safe hands as this is scary stuff.

Most active volcanoes stand on a scale of 0-1 but White island had a fairly large eruption July 2000 and was standing on a 2 coming recently down from a 3. 5 being a national disaster. Gulp. You take a speed boat out to the island over a 27km stretch of water and they were on hand with sea sickness tablets for those feeling queasy. It was quite rough when i went! The volcanoe was mined in the 1900's for sulphur because of its healing and manure qualities and you are taken through the remains of the factory still standing. 11 men died on the island during a fatal eruption and many many disappeared after stepping on to craters that abruptly erupted in deadly hot geysers.

Be prepared to don your gas masks as well as your yellow helmits as you are taken up to the edge of the main crater which billows out clouds of sulphur and hydrochloric acid. Rain over the island is always acidic and you are advised before hand to wear old clothing and footwear. You are given sweets to stop your throat drying out and you find you cough involuntarily from time to time. Imagine
living and working on the volcanoe it must have been horrendous! As you walk around you will be truly amazed at the spectacular sights you see. Bright yellow deposits of sulphur cover the landscape with rivlets of green acid the crate is truly terrifying especially when you are told if you fall over the edge there is no possible rescue from the fumes and the heat.

After your trip around the island you are taken aboard and greeted with a wonderful array of fresh bread, coffee and homemade soup. If you are extremely lucky as I was you may bump into a pod of dolphins akin to the area. They come right up to the edge of the boat at which point the engine is turned off and you are able to take as many pictures as you like. Wow is all I can say!

It truly opens your eyes to the beauty of our world and mother nature. It is a must because it is one of those memories you can remember when you're old and grey and think for just that moment I was at one with the sea and the sky and all the natural elements of this magnificent world.

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