Nov 02
Thu
We spend the day in sunny Taupo and enjoy ourselves. Later in the mornings Ralph goes into an internet cafe and I check the visitor centre for the Tongariro weather forecast and further information for the crossing. Saturday and Sunday look fine so far. Then I walk along Tongariro Rd and Spa Rd to see the bungee jumping at Waikato River and watch 2 jumps. Shortly I think about jumping as well but no, I don't dare. It's really deep.
In the park in Taupo · more Taupo pictures ![]()
I walk back along the intensive blue water of the Waikato River which is New Zealand's longest river and emptying into Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. Waikato River narrows from 100 m width in the beginning into a canyon only 15 m across. That's where the popular Huka Falls, which we visit in the afternoon, fall 11 metres into the deep with power. At the edge the water is ice blue and roaring.
In a sushi shop at Tongariro Rd we buy some prawn sushi which we eat in the fragrant park. For the second course we order pizza at Hell. After that we go for 2 pints into the Pub 'n' Grub at Roberts St and play pool there. For one more night we stay at the beautiful parking spot at Lake Taupo, where it smells of eucalyptus and where the tuis, little sparrow gangs, ducks and gulls hang out.
Pizza at Hell in Taupo · more Taupo pictures ![]()
Tomorrow we head for Tongariro. Before falling asleep I'm looking forward exitedly to he hike across the volcanic crater.