Hot water, falls, and fluffballs on the water

[vilakins]

We went to a hot water beach about 2kms along the lake shore where there's geothermal heat coming up under the pebbly sand so that when your feet sink into it, it's hot. As you wade in, you get distinct warm and cold layers of water which is a very strange feeling.

Then we went to the basin near the source of the mighty Waikato river where we found two black swans with seven fluffy creamy cygnets. Soooo cute, like water-borne kittens! Yes, I got photos!

After lunch we went to Huka Falls which, if not high, were impressive with huge amounts of pale turquoise water thundering over them.

Tonight it's a meal out at an excellent local restaurant followed by SGA probably. Last night we saw Lost. Ooh, intriguing! Oh and the other day we saw three John Locke transports in a row. Full of cardboard boxes to pack Dharma ranch dressing in for the next food drop perhaps?

To my Facebook friends: I won't have flash till I get home so there will be no play of any sort till then.

Comments

[kalinda001.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you're having a great time.

oooh hot water beach...

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Great time you had! Only to hear about hot thermal bath, warm weather and all is so...inspiring :-) here - minus 6°C and sharp cold wind, brrr...
Get chilled!!!

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

We have white swans(not sure which type) on the flat stretch of the canal below Fourteen Locks, I love to see them with their little white puff balls, there's Mam and Dad sailing majestically along and the babies buzzing around like demented bees. Black swans and cream puffballs would be even cuter.

[zoefruitcake.livejournal.com]

water-borne kittens!

Adorable!

[quarryquest.livejournal.com]

I am jealous! I have always wanted to swim in a thermal spring. I also want to see those pictures of the fluffballs!

[reapermum.livejournal.com]

Warm water at a beach, that sounds good.

[hafren.livejournal.com]

Oh, i want to see those cygnets!

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you are having a great time.

Can't wait to see the fuzzy balls of fluff!

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a brilliant time - and I'm looking forward to the photos!

So the warmer water is at the *bottom*? That must feel weird.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Ah but we never have anything as exotic as snow. :-)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

They were!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I am. I'm having a hot stone massage soon. :-)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

The parents were diving for weed for themselves and the babies. I hope I got some shots of that.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

There are heaps of thermal pools here, but this was in the lake. :-)

Pics will have to wait till I get home, but there will be lots.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

You can see the steam rising in the early morning.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

When I get home and spam you all with pics!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I hope the photos came out well. I took a lot though.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

No, the water was heated at the bottom but rose to the top due to convection. It was all warm in the shallows but you got cold layers further out (but warm feet) which got swirled around if a boat's wake came in.