Our tour program in Rotorua, New Zealand posted ‘Duck Tour City and Lakes’. I thought how ridiculous, who wants to go on a Duck Tour? But we went along. We arrived at the pickup point and saw this truck that said ‘World War II Landing Craft’. It took me sometime to realize that this truck can run on land and water. I did not believe it and asked the lady at the counter ‘does this truck go into the water?’ ‘Yes it does, though I can’t guarantee that it will float’! ‘Oh that is very encouraging’ I said. 😊
Our driver and tour guide had a good sense of humour as well as a lot of information. He said the truck was 83 years old, built during World War II. During WW II, New Zealand used landing craft for training purposes. They also produced these crafts for operations in the Pacific. The iconic Rotorua Duck Tours operating genuine WWII DUKW amphibious vehicles. These landing crafts were used to supply troops and evacuate the wounded during the war.
We first went past Lake Rotorua. The water in some parts was yellowish. Our driver explained that the high sulfur content caused this color. Other volcanic minerals dissolved in the water also contributed. It is a result of the region’s geothermal activity. We climbed up the hills around the lake. There were plantations of pine trees. 🌲 These were not indigenous to Rotorua, but was imported from California.
The first lake the amphibious truck actually entered was Lake Tikitapu. There was much excitement on the truck as it turned into a boat!
The lake and the surrounding scenery was beautiful. For a duck tour we saw exactly two ducks in the lake!
And then the amphibious truck climbed on land! Much excitement again!
There were two landing craft trucks on this tour. The two trucks followed each other. So we got to see the truck in front of us float on to the water first. It was amazing!
After a short run on the land the next lake we floated into was Lake Okareka.
And our companion truck was floating in front of us!
It was the most amazing and unique tour I was ever on! Encourage all to take a ride on this amphibious truck, 83 years young Landing Craft!
Unni-Verse 