White Island 'Whakaari'

Saturday, October 17, 2015
Whakatane, North Island, New Zealand
Our White Island tour, almost didn't happen due to weather, but at 7.55am we got the call, its on! Again the weather gods have smiled upon us, thanks Maggie xx

Its not every day we sign to waive liability if the volcano erupts, but hey we are on an adventure . Cruise starts off in Whakatane (pronunciation Faka Ta Ne) and we have 90 minutes of open sea which one of the crew, Mata, said was an average day in terms of roughness.   

90 minutes of rumbling, tumbling side to side at what looked like 45 degree rolls either sside. In true form the Aussies came through it with flying colours, whilst the remaining passengers used up all the sick bags.  

White Island is one of two active volcanoes in New Zealand, the other is Mount Ruapehu, both are a category 1 in a scale of 0 being dormant and 5 being run for your life, we are very lucky to be able to see this baby up close. We were told 150-200k years old with a dark history of an eruption when sulphur miners were on the island in 1914, 14 perished, but a cat survived.

Safety gear was a hard hat and gas mask due to the sulphur, but there was a good breeze so only needed the mask when close to the sulphur lake at the craters edge.  

You'll see in the pics the crater lake and also some steaming sulphur holes, we were told not to walk on those as we would find ourselves at least 15 metres down in 5 seconds flat in 200 degree bubbling mud, no thanks! There's currently three 24/7 cameras on the island so check out the website for 12.15pm on Saturday 17/10/15 and you may see us waving :)

Volcanologists are continually visiting and monitoring the island for changes with the last episode in 2012, check out geonet white island. 

Many thanks to Sandra Mullins for the recommend, definitely a bucket list trip and one we will never forget.  
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Comments

Maggie
2015-10-19

Amazing adventure. Great that the weather is being kind. You never know what the weather is going to do in NZ - you can have 4 seasons in one day.

Bel
2015-10-20

Hey what about a pic of the camper van ???? would love to see what it looks like

Bel
2015-10-20

Forget photo just saw it on you number 2 post ... will remember to look closer before I open my mouth again

kazkeltel
2015-10-20

Campervan has been good and although everything is squeezed in we have all we need, TV, dining table for eating and games, functional kitchen with stove, sink, pantry, sink and large bar fridge, lots of storage around the van and under beds, sleeps up to 6 people. Drawers that capture the plates, glasses and mugs in moulded sections. We've only had the one mishap of the coffee percolator and toaster falling out of the cupboard when we were driving into our overnight bay on night one. Guess who was driving lol!

Elaine
2015-10-20

All looks great glad the weather is being kind

Bel
2015-10-21

I would say the driver would have to be Kelly ......

kazkeltel
2015-10-23

Hmm you are correct

2025-02-08

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