Tramp Reflections 835 - White Island

9 - 10 January 2010

We had 2 van loads plus a car for this trip that was proving to be very popular. As it was a busy time of the year for the East Coast and Whakatane in particular, accommodation was a little difficult to find as some of the trippers preferred to stay overnight in cabins. However, we back-tracked a little and arranged to stay at the Thornton Beach Motor Camp and what a great find that was. All their facilities have been upgraded and were new, clean and very well appointed. Most of us camped, but three decided to stay in a cabin. That was fine except that 2 went out with both available keys and the third one couldn't get in. Eventually the camp manager had to break in and open the door - just before the key holders arrived back!

It was a relief to hear from White Island Tours at 7 pm to confirm that the trip was on for the next day - and what a magnificent day that was. We couldn't have wished for better weather. The boat trip out was clear and calm. As we were a large group, we were off loaded first with our own guide and tail ender. This was done in a little rubber ducky with an outboard motor taking us a few at a time from the mother boat. We all looked pretty cute with our hard hats and gas masks. We were briefed on the island history and protocol and the tour began.

White Island is such an interesting place to visit and seemed totally different from our last visit about five years ago. The island is bare and barren with an interesting history, a couple of small streams, a large crater lake that fluctuates in both size and heat, a derelict site of an abandoned sulphur mine and the overall smell of sulphur drifting across in huge clouds of steam. We all had to don our gas masks at times as the sulphur caught in our throats and made us cough.

Due to all the little boiling fumaroles we had to stick strictly to the track. Plenty of time was given for questions and photos. The colours of the sulphur and other minerals were amazing; bright yellows, oranges and browns, with greens as well in the damp areas. We tasted the water in a couple of the streams, one tasted of lemon .

When we had had our fill of the experience, we were ferried back on board the main boat where we handed in our helmets and gas masks that were cleaned for the next trip and then each given a magnificent boxed lunch. Some of the younger people on board had a swim off the back of the boat before we began the journey home.

The trip back took us around the island where we were entertained by a large school of flying fish. They were amazing the way they wiggled their tails and flew along above the water. Their colours were almost iridescent. We had good views of the sparse vegetation and the bird colonies on the island.

As we headed back towards Whakatane we went through at least 2 large pods of common dolphin. The skipper slowed the boat and we wallowed around them for ages. Some of the females had babies who mirrored every graceful move of their mothers. They surfed around the front of the boat and one show off (had to be a teenaged male) danced right around the boat upright on his tail. What a show. We were sad to leave them. They really are magnificent.

By mid afternoon, we were back in Whakatane, then into the vans and home. It was a fabulous day, where we felt that our every need and been taken care of - and some. Well done White Island Tours - HTC will definitely be back one day.

Written by Val Hollands

Photographs by Adrienne van Hellemond (Canon PowerShot SX100 IS).