Waimangu Volcanic Valley

We woke up Saturday morning and decided to head out and see some of the geothermal activity that Rotorua is famous for. We first went to Waimangu volcanic valley and went on a nice hike past lots of hot springs and bubbling pools. In fact, we hiked past frying pan lake which is the largest hot spring in the world, but with an average temperature of 131 degrees F, it's not a place to dip your feet in. There were lots of stinky, bubbling pools, but it was very cool and a nice hike. Isaac loved it and walked on his own for most of the way(it was downhill - his favorite). After his nap, we headed to a gondola/luge area above Rotorua and it was a blast. We took a gondola ride to the top of the hill, and then rode in these little cars down the slopes on tracks. Isaac LOVED it. We also sat and enjoyed the view from a nice terrace. We finished off the evening with dinner down by the water of the lake and a long play for Isaac in the great playground there.