Alcamo Hotel Hamilton

Waingaro Hot Springs

by kiwigal_1

I remember going to Waingaro Hot Springs as a child with my parents and having a blast with the slides and various pools. The mineral pools are heated naturally between 37 and 41 degrees. Teh have four pools and New Zealand's longest hot water slides.

Accommodation is available in the area with a motel and caravan park/camping ground.

How to get there

Waingaro Road, Drive 24 kms west of Ngaruawahia township (North of Hamilton)

Balloons over Waikato 2006

by kiwi

"Special Shaped Balloons and all."

This year the main specialty balloon was Woodrow C. Greenleaf, designed to bring awareness about deforestation of the planet. A favourite with the kids, who love parrots and birds sitting on the sides.
This balloon is from North America, and it's pilots have visited before with other specialty shaped balloons.
Arriving before 0645 hrs, with threatening bad weather, by 0700hrs most were airborne. Didn't leave much time, this year, to wander around photographing different teams.

Normally the Mass Ascencion is done slightly staggered, but with the weather threatening and safe landings wanted, most were up and away within about 10 mins.

"Inflating the balloons."

I always enjoy to try to get exciting photos around the inflation time, especailly during burn.

Tweety Bird is easily recognisable right around the world. Of course he too is a favourite with the kids :-))

The day remained dull as the balloons floated off over the city. Hamilton Lake always provides a focal point and a feature for photographs, even if the sun was hiding :-)

Even a wild sky can have beauty at times, so with the added interest of a balloon or two and the lovely fluffy heads of the ToeToe plant, and the rushes of the lake, i was happy with this study.

VT member "MFAMILY" is shown here photographing the event. Maria and her family were visiting from Portugal, and made a point of stopping in Hamilton to visit the Fiesta.