Wild Times on White Island

The family was up and out early today to get to the boat to White Island by 7.45am.    We saw DH off on his adventure,  then PB and I headed out to the start of the Warren Coles Cycle / Walkway.
It was a lovely wide pathway that ran from the bridge on the outskirts of town right alongside the Whakatane River out to the beach.  On the way, it took us past a big playground, skateboard bowl,  'Kiwi Boy' statue and the statue of Wairaka at the end of the river.
We stopped on our way back for morning tea in a cafe then rode all the way back again to the start.   Around 10km return.
We popped in to have a look around shops and to get a gift for a wee baby we are going to visit this week.
We headed to McDonald's for a treat lunch and PB played for ages in the playground with twin boys who are nearly 4 years old.
Then DH texted to say they were back and we raced to collect him.  DH reported that White Island was definitely something you should have on your bucket list.   It was amazing over there,  with steam coming out everywhere and noxious fumes.  One of the steam shoots was chuffing like a steam train, it was quite freaky!   They had to wear hard hats and gas masks.   It took 1.5 hours to get out there on the boat.  Very interesting day.
Had a quick look at the historic cave near the boat ramp before we headed home again to Matata to enjoy sitting by the beach watching the sky change again.  Beautiful spot.