ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Rotorua is the most popular tourist area in the North Island of New Zealand, and Lake Rotorua is the largest of twelve lakes in the district, formed by a volcanic eruption centuries ago. The area is blessed with a good climate and is world famous for its geysers, hot springs, mud pools and trout fishing. Of great significance to the Maori, whose presence dates back to the 14th century,

BILLY & AKAISHA AT THE CHAMPAGNE POOL

LADY KNOX GEYSER

If you are interested in native cultures, try a Maori Concert and Hangi (meals cooked in an earth oven), put on by the locals. Complete with a group sing in, a haka (war dance), action songs and hand games, it's an experience you will never forget.

If you are a geologist or just interested in nature's volcanic beauty, visit Wai-o-tapu, 27 kilometers south of Rotorua on SH5 (the Rotorua-Taupo highway). The name means "sacred waters" and is perhaps one of the best thermal areas to visit, a true thermal wonderland. For $16.50 NZ, you can walk the complete volcanic park and see a diverse range of geothermal features.

Lady Knox Geyser is one of the largest geysers in New Zealand, erupting up to 20 meters high daily at 10:15 a.m. The Champagne Pool, unique in the world, covers 4,000