While there we visited with one of Noah's collaborators (Matt) - a microbial ecologist who studies hotsprings. So, of course we got the deluxe tour of a hotspring complex near Taupo with his family and members of his lab group.
We crossed the river and took a hike around the geothermal area.
Of course - we had a temperature probe along with us to get some readings (microbial ecologists are embarrassing like that). That is not a fogged lens - there was a lot of steam in the air - life a sulfurous sauna covered in awesome microbes.
Boiling mud pits! A perfect place for a 4-year old.
Alas - we made it out alive without boiling the children.
Matt has 2 kids - and the 3 L's (Luna, Luca, and Lily) got along very well. The highlight of Luna's trip to Taupo was playing with the kids and going to the 4-acre kiddie pool in town that was heated to bath temperature (the advantage of abundant geothermal energy).
The Taupo area is incredibly beautiful - lots of stunning mountains and rivers. The color of NZ waters never ceases to amaze.
We can't believe we only have one month left here.
No comments:
Post a Comment