Mud glorious mud by Emma

Today we went to a couple of different parks in Rotorua.

One was next to to the lakefront, and the other one was in some grounds that had mud pools and steam coming out of the ground. There was also a green pond, and a pool to paddle your feet in hot water.

After that we went to a forest of giant redwood trees. Some of the trees had huge trunks, but they got thinner the higher they got.

We had a walk through the forest, and saw some of the stillest, clearest water we have ever seen.

Then we set off to a place called 'Hell's gate', which we wanted to go to because you can have a mud bath. They also have a cold plunge pool, and sulphur spa pools. Once we were changed, the lady called us into our mud bath. As we stepped in, mud was oozing through our feet. The mud is said to make your skin smooth. You are only allowed to have 20 minutes in the mud.

When our time was up, we got out and cooled off in the shower, then jumped in the sulphur pool. The pool was 39 degrees, and was very cloudy due to the sulphur; it also smelled of rotten eggs!!

Megan and I dared each other to go in the cold pool, and we did it! I got goosebumps all over my skin; I even felt as if I had goosebumps on top of my goosebumps! When I got back in the hot pool, it felt even hotter than 39 degrees. It was a very hot, sunny day which made it feel hotter still. Once we had showered and changed, we went back to the hotel, and Megan and I went for a swim. I enjoyed putting my head under the water again, as we hadn't been allowed to at Hell's gate. After that we went for pizza. Today was awesome; I really enjoyed making the mud squidge between my fingers.