Not just one cruise liner, but three...the Hapag Lloyd Bremen, the Queen Mary and another huge liner ...could not see the name ...but on the radio they said that 8000 people would arrive via the cruise liners. Quite something !
Met up with Lyn and Simon and drove the approx 4.5 hours to Taupo along the desert road. The landscape has changed dramatically from the South Island, but is dramatic in a Karoo type of way, especially the purple heath and the fine black sand. Due to the bad drought the grass is brown over the hilly landscape. In the distance the snow-covered peaks and vulcanoes made their appearance.
The little towns along the way (some with about 1400 inhabitants - in the one we counted only 11 houses) remind one of the towns portrayed in the Wild West movies. Every town has a catchphrase like : "Young heart, easy living", the town named Bulls "A town like no udder" , Hunterville - "Huntaway piece of the world." I wonder how people feel who live down Pukepuke Road ...hopefully better than it sounds.
Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand, which is quite something as the lakes here are many and huge. It is major trout-fishing area. There was lots of activity on the water this evening, large yacht regatta and oppie regatta (about 50 of them )in very little wind, some rowing, a hole in one golf challenge from the shore to a barge in the lake...with a smoking volcano in the background.
The Holiday Camp is magic, definately the best facilities we have yet experienced and spotlessly clean...and...hot baths . So guess where we are going to spend the day tomorrow !
Life is good ! Weather is changing a bit, rain being predicted. I am pleased for the locals, as this drought is taking its toll in many different ways.
This land of beautiful trees and beautiful clouds is in dire need of rain.