Interesting Intersection

There is an intersection in New Zealand where the Earth’s most natural wonder meets Mankind’s most shameless commercialism. It is here you will find the entryway to Hell’s Gate Geothermal Park and Mud Spa in Rotorua.

Suckers for a good gimmick, Jeannie and I fell hopelessly into the clutches of Hell’s Gate. The proprietors have somehow pried a piece of sacred land from the Maori (ancient residents of the area) and partitioned it into a thirty minute Disney-like walk of mud pools and sulphur springs. Despite the profit-making, the site is remarkable. The insides of the Earth are on display. Openings in the crust give way to boiling pools of liquid. Mud explodes into the sky in fits of fury. Pure white steam billows from behind rocks and trees, giving an otherworldly feel to the environment.

The walk was cold, so we were easily enticed to a soak in the mud spa. The brilliance of their ploy was now on full display. Neither of us can deny, the spa was enjoyable. So I allowed myself to look beyond the merchandising of Mother Nature, and let Jeannie smear hot mud on my face.