The morning was spent cruising White Island off the east coast of the North Island. As you can see, it is an active volcano. It belches steam all the time and has for the last 150,000 years. It rises about 1100 ft. above the water and 5300 ft above the ocean floor. Commercial sulfur mining was attempted in 1914. But an eruption killed all 14 of the workers....ending all commercial endeavors other than tourism for the island.
Captain Cook named thisWhite Island because it was always in a cloud of white steam. There is no evidence that this active volcano has ever damaged the North Island....at least not in the last 50,000 years. It is now privately owned by a gentleman, George Battle, who purchased it in 1936....simply because he wanted to own a volcano. The most active years in recent history were 1997-2000 when ash and lava reached Rotorua, 60-ish miles away. White Island hosts 10,000 visitors annually, who are given hard candies to suck in an effort to cover the stench of the sulfur. They arrive by small boat, large ship, and helicopter. The gannets build their nests in the ash, then line them with seaweed.
Somewhere over the rainbow.....fabulous, just plain wonderful....a non verbal message to relax, enjoy and trust in goodness.
Another non verbal message to relax, enjoy and trust in goodness.....
TAI CHI!!!!! and it is FREE!!! Twice a day!!!! Morning session is inside in our favorite bar.....evening session is outside on the sports deck!!! WE are attempting to learn a 24 form.....in two weeks????!!!
