Finally, the weather was good enough to do the walk…..Awoke to see the sun rise over the eastern shores of the lake. Annelise dropped me off at the bus stop, encouraging me to make some friends…… ahead was an 18.5km walk taking in some spectacular volcanic scenery at altitude of 2000m. Arriving at base camp in a convoy of buses I realized that I wasn't going to be sharing the experience with a few other intrepid folks. The track ascended through grass and s...

It was this []big….. Checked out of the Terraces. $6 bar bill for 2 mint teas. How times have changed eh? We got barred for being too rock'n' roll. Drove into the retail wonderland of Taupo. A-lo bought some tops and shorts then we paused for brunch at one of the cooler looking cafes.Nice and sunny, but still no Alpine Crossing. As Turangi calls itself the trout capital of the world, it seemed appropriate to give it a go….Annelise dropped me off back a...

Nature's Jacuzzi Checked out of Moselle and headed up the Waikato River on the 5. For a change, we arrived at the activity with time to spare…boarded a jet boat and cruised downstream. Passed through non-native pine forests being cleared for dairy farming. Stopped at the site of a famous Maori battle in1841: the attackers had entered a cave to rest before battle, and the defending tribe set alight all the surrounding vegetation. Apparently they are a peace l...

i-site marathon Called Kerry back home to wish her Happy 40th! After a leisurely breakfast we checked out of Tui and checked in to the i-site (information centre). The most helpful Rhonda advised and booked us up on some river trips, geothermal experiences, fishing, accommodation and walking. Left at lunchtime and drove into Taupo. The magnitude of the lake soon became apparent - more of an inland sea. One could only speculate at the force of the explosion...