It was a perfect glorious sunny day, so we took a walk around Kuirau Park, which we have not completely explored.
Legend tells us that a beautiful young woman named Kuiarau was bathing in the waters when a Taniwha (legendary creature) dragged her to his lair below the lake. The gods above were angered and made the lake boil so the Taniwha would be destroyed forever. From that time on, the bubbling lake and the steaming land around it have been known by the name of the lost woman. (newzealand.com)
The main lake in Kuirau Park
We usually shop early Monday morning, when there is more parking available at the Pak'nSave. The carpark is nearly always full. We get discounted gas here, too. We know where everything is by now.
I had brought a bottle of acetaminophen, fortunately, but I thought I'd check prices in Rotorua. There is ibuprofen on the shelves and acetaminophen is called Panadol in foil strips, about 50 cents per tablet NZ$, about 30 cents each in USD. I didn't see any aspirin.
Small and Large Trolleys
Kuirau Park covers about 3/4 of an acre. From the north part you can see some of Rotorua city.
A steaming hot pile of rocks
The park has been famous for bathing in mud pools, cooking food, and sinter blocks for construction for many years.
I didn't know pukekos could swim, but apparently they can.
Pool looking as if milk has been added
Reflective pool with steam
This tree needed pruning long ago
The Quota Scented Garden, "Donated For Enjoyment By the Blind And All Garden Lovers"
I don't know if Elder Rooks is a garden lover, but he is good at appearing as if he is
Lemon verbena in the Scented Garden
Blooming purple heliotrope
Phormis Russeliana, Jerusalem Sage. The blossoms smell of cloves at close proximity
Jerusalem Sage after blooming is done
Begonias love New Zealand
Convolvulus Cneorum, also known as Silverbush, fragrant when blooming, attracting bees and butterflies. The blossoms are trumpet shaped
I can never get enough of jasmine, which perfumes the air for yards around
Wisteria, hanging over a mud pool and winning. On sunny days like today, the sulphur smells are minimal. Heavy cloud cover keeps the sulphur low to the ground
More lichen-covered tree trunks
Steaming pool
Agapanthus, Lily of the Nile. These plants are ubiquitous all over the North Island, and stunning in great swathes of lavender bloom.
There were many, many tourists here today, during a school holiday. School is year round with up to six weeks of holiday at a time. We met a family who had been to church on Christmas Eve and recognized us from our musical item, singing "Silent Night" with the eight sisters and elders to Elder Marble's guitar accompaniment. The wife was the granddaughter of the LDS Patriarch Brons who used to live in our brick house.
One of the boys sitting with the Brons family brought us two mince and cheese meat pies for our lunch, because we are missionaries. People are very kind that way.
We had a conversation with an attractive young Indian family from Auckland, where he works in IT. They kindly took our picture
The canna lilies in bloom behind our house, with agapanthus in the distance
Elder Rooks practicing on his carpet scrap putting green with his $5 golf club and a bucket of perforated practice golf balls. Life is beautiful.
