My first full day in Taupo, I rocked with Nao from Japan all day; always searching for shade, swapping life stories and cultural aspects of our native countries. She came off as the nicest girl in Japan and we did all manner of Taupo tourist, recreational activities together. Firstly, we stood at the observation deck of the Bungy bridge and stared on as one guy bungy jumped but didn't scream at all; was he bored or brilliantly brave? All I know is, no amount of money could ever tempt me and I'd sooner eat a FOOT!
With every passing minute I'm developing a deeper sense of fondness for Taupo. Spa Thermal Park and stream is a happy place, loved by locals and visitors alike. The exquisite, crown jewel colours of the Waikato River sparkles in the sunlight. It is the largest in all of New Zealand with a length of 425 kilometres and the unique blue colouration is linked to the clear water reflecting the blue light.
We just had to stop and feel the spray of the giant, cascading Huka Falls. This fave natural wonder blew me away as it is spectacularly stunning. Approx 220,000 litres a second pass the Falls (enough to fill an Olympic swimming pool in 11 seconds flat) and they came to be as the river normally up to 100 metres wide, abruptly narrows to only 15 as it crosses a hard, volcanic ledge.
To reach the one cafe in the vicinity meant walking onwards, ever onwards. Here, I was hustled out of my coinage for one measly slice of toast, with a splattering of avocado and tomatoes and 2 shrivelled poached eggs. The Rianne was RATTLED.
The Honey Hive was sought out after continuing to tramp roadside in order to reach the buzzing venue. Here, they believe in saving the planet - one bee at a time; a philosophy which really resonated with me. We were able to sample various flavours of 100% pure NZ honey but it was the simplicity of the honey with lemon and ginger that set off fireworks of yumminess on my tongue.
As the bees buzzed, I gave the honey with almond gold ice cream a go after a tasting. Not to state the painfully obvious but it was sweet as and I was hungry, starving, a SHEWOLF after my unsatisfying meal earlier. Freebies are a no brainer and with that, I tried out lots of honey toiletry product testers to soften my skin.
A few displays and posters clued us up on natural disasters of recent times and further back within the Ring of Fire. My eyes were opened to the fury of Earth's volcanic forces and amazingly, I discovered we were visitors of one of the world's most active volcanic zones - stretching from Tongariro to White Island, covering almost 20,000 kms. The Earthquake simulator of the same magnitude as the 6.3 that hit Christchurch in 2011, was not the big fun I'd presumed it would be; it shook me to my core and left me frightened although it was just pretend. After surveilling the live seismograph of the world earthquakes, we sat in the screening room to view harrowing and emotionally evocative footage of the Christchurch earthquakes and Mt Ruapehu's volcanic eruption.
During the long trek of more than 2 hours back to Tiki Lodge, the disobedient sun defied our demands to disappear until we'd cooled down. Boo hoo, the Montigue moose didn't want to move in the unruly heat! As the sun began to set, Nao and I ate our burger and chips beside the Great Lake Taupo (once a volcano crater) then had the token Taupo snapshot with the #loveTaupo sign. These tourist musts are annoyingly irresistable to me! Before bunking down for bed, Mimi joined us for some communal yoga stretches for all the exercise we'd done. I looked more like a chimpanzee!
Iasmina and myself went to Cafe Baku for her birthday brunch, after seeing off our legendary room mates - Nao and Mimi. The crepe suzette with orange butter sauce and citrus mascarpone was ingenious and *I* am the authority on brunch ;) In a way, it was disgustingly impressive how I knocked them back!
Afterwards we partook in the waters of Otumuheke stream, dipping our feet in with the too-pretty backdrop. The refreshing coolness on the other side of the bridge after the boiling heat by the tranquil waterfall transported me to a land of serene relaxation. Then it was time for another goodbye as Iasmina departed to her next destination.
At the Rafting Adventure Centre I had the 45 minute, 6D ride all to myself and it was too cool. It rocked to feel like I was taking a helicopter over active Tongariro, skydiving, jet boating and white water rafting - with high def cinematic viewing, motion and timed wind and water spray effects. As I declined a poncho, I was soon drenched but laughed heartily each and every time the jets spurted in my face.
All I could smell in the rose gardens was sweetness and pollen. There was no shortage of loveliness as I relaxed around the ring o'roses within South Tongariro Domain. These goodlooking gardens fill one with rejoicement.
Ernest Kemp's steamboat cruise wasn't as romantic as it would've been with an insignificant other. I had to pass on the free Dominos pizza but helped myself to brownies and a can or two of fizzy. Bumpy waves spilled over the side of our vessel when I sat on a solo seat by the railings, to steal the last slices of sunshine of this fine Friday. A glass water container smashed to smithereens as it wasn't adequately strapped down by a newbie hostess; I promptly jumped out of my skin!
To cast eye on the Maori carvings at Mine Bay, over 14 metres in height and taking over 4 years for a team to complete on the rock face was impressively intricate. The artists created an image of Matahi's ancestor Ngatoroirangi with tattoos symbolising many things from the Maori culture. I was befriended by a friendlier, older couple living in Christchurch after the Canadians hadn't really uttered one word to me and I was invited to join them. We'd been having the nicest chat but then moored onto shore before I knew it. They were sweet enough to give me their number and offer out a room for me to stay in if ever I came their way.
DEMONS OF FITNESS -
Saturday started out relatively cool but oh joy (!) someone cranked up the heating as I took a meander around some of Lake Taupo. Too much of ze sun is in no part fun!! It also happened to be when the Iron Man, a ridiculously athletic and competitive triathlon participants PAY to sweat it out in. First they tackle a 3.8km swim in the lake, then a 180km cycle and finish up with a marathon of 42.2km!! They began early in the morning but by midday some were already beginning the run, flaunting their robust health which completely blows my face off!!
Ambling leisurely along to pretty places - I can do this all day.Panoramic views of Lake Taupo are offered from the vantage spot of 2 Mile Bay. The mini hot water beach amused me that it was on such a small scale to the Coromandel's. Rising steam established the spot as did the scalding to my index finger!
THEY DO IT FOR THE JOY -
It was fascinating to watch a sea of competitors sportingly put themselves through their paces. All have certainly earned their stars and stripes! (Is that a thing people say?) Still, it is strange and illogical to my mind as I'm almost allergic to anything requiring physical exertion. NOT in this galaxy would I ever compete!
Spectating from the stands as the runners completed the course to spirited applause with the inflatable clappers thrown out and cheering. I was there to see the 1st, 2nd and 3rd position of both men and women - the overall champ was Braden Currie who was victorious in a time of 8 hours 20 minutes and 57 seconds! What I find to be more of an incredible feat and earning of my immense respect is the 70 plus year olds who not only enter but FINISH, beating some of the younger ones.
Thank you for every kindness, Taupo. There is splendour in every footstep in your fair, volcanic shores.
Saturday started out relatively cool but oh joy (!) someone cranked up the heating as I took a meander around some of Lake Taupo. Too much of ze sun is in no part fun!! It also happened to be when the Iron Man, a ridiculously athletic and competitive triathlon participants PAY to sweat it out in. First they tackle a 3.8km swim in the lake, then a 180km cycle and finish up with a marathon of 42.2km!! They began early in the morning but by midday some were already beginning the run, flaunting their robust health which completely blows my face off!!
Ambling leisurely along to pretty places - I can do this all day.Panoramic views of Lake Taupo are offered from the vantage spot of 2 Mile Bay. The mini hot water beach amused me that it was on such a small scale to the Coromandel's. Rising steam established the spot as did the scalding to my index finger!
It was fascinating to watch a sea of competitors sportingly put themselves through their paces. All have certainly earned their stars and stripes! (Is that a thing people say?) Still, it is strange and illogical to my mind as I'm almost allergic to anything requiring physical exertion. NOT in this galaxy would I ever compete!
Spectating from the stands as the runners completed the course to spirited applause with the inflatable clappers thrown out and cheering. I was there to see the 1st, 2nd and 3rd position of both men and women - the overall champ was Braden Currie who was victorious in a time of 8 hours 20 minutes and 57 seconds! What I find to be more of an incredible feat and earning of my immense respect is the 70 plus year olds who not only enter but FINISH, beating some of the younger ones.
Thank you for every kindness, Taupo. There is splendour in every footstep in your fair, volcanic shores.
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