New Zealand Part 13

From lake Taupo we did a day trip out to Tongariro National Park and went up the chairlift from the Wahakapapa Village up Mount Ruaprhu.
As you can see we came dressed for the occasion...all it meant was that my white knuckles were covered by the all to thin jumper.
Even on a overcast day the views are spectacular.
Then back down to the bottom and a visit to a very out of place building. The Grand Chateau Hotel was built in 1929..it offers fantastic mountain and valley views....and...
every luxury...very posh....and warm!!!!!!!
Back in the snot box...to Lake Taupo and then back to the B @ B.

Stephen could not resist this view from the bedroom....him and boobs...what can I say....and then the Trout for dinner as previously mentioned...just for the record I caught the first and largest and a second to Stephen's one...go the girlie!!

New Zealand Part 12

Onwards we went and came to Taupo. Situated at the Northeastern end of Lake Taupo. Now this is the largest lake in New Zealand, formed by a volcanic explosion in AD186, if you can remember that far back!!!! The peaks that you can see are from our bedroom window and are Mounts Tongariro and Ngauruhoe and the snow capped Ruapehu..what a backdrop!!

This is Pricilla feeding the ducks..some of which she hand reared. You can still pick up lots of Pumice from the shore line.
This is the Waikato River, this narrow channel leads from the floodgates to the Huka Falls and into the foaming caldron below.

I love this picture...with the blues and whites of the swirling water. Jet-boat's and paddlewheeler occupy this area and provided up close and personal viewings. I just enjoyed the mesmerizing water....double click on this and view it full screen!!!

And if we had not had enough water for the day.... the startled look is because the camera took the shot before Stephen could get back in the Spa. Not a bad spa though with that fabulous view from the first photo!!
We also had to do some Trout Fishing...this was the cheats way though!!! Two lines out the back and in holders wait for the release of the pull on the line (opposite to everything I have ever done before) then wind it in.....thats not fishing....
Still we caught enough to do dinner for the B & B hosts and a couple of other house guests.

New Zealand Part 11

While in Rotorua you have to do the Whakarewarewa Thermal Area. With the famous Geysers and smoldering, boiling lakes of mud. Above is the highest of the Geyser's, Pohutu Geyser, with heights of 98 ft....we hung around for this one and it did not let us down. Unfortunately, the wind was up so Stephen did not get the best of photos but not bad, hey.
I have to say that the smell was exactly as I thought it would be.....smelt of rotten eggs...ugh!

But the whole experience was well worth the fairly long walk. (My parents had been there the previous year and Pops thought it best that he did not attempt this...well judged Dad...it was fairly hard for me with my hips.)
There was a lot of other things to see as well, carving school, weaving school and lots of demonstrations to watch. All in all a great time was had.

New Zealand Part 10

On to Rotorua, but before we went to the more traditional tourist events in the area, we went to the Rotorua Museum of Art and History.
The Maori artifacts are plentiful in the Museum and include the bargeboards from Rotoiti's Houmaitawhiti meeting house and a female pumice figure, Pani, a kumara goddess depicted in the act of child birth.
The building was originally opened in 1908 as the Great Spa of the South Pacific. Some of the sculptures that dotted the building are still in evidence, though some are damaged from when the building became a night club!!!!!

They have restored and displayed some of the Spa Rooms. The taking of the cure has had its effect on the building materials. The minerals etc just dissolve some materials and the pipe work was hugely corroded.
You could climb all the way to the top of the building...viewing the materials and the type of building method used to create this lovely old building...the view was not bad either.
Can you imagine this main foyer as a dance floor.....thank goodness they have brought it back to some were close to the original.

New Zealand Part 9

Our time up in the Bay of Islands was coming to an end...there was so much more we wanted to do, but time was against us already.We could not leave without heading across to the West Side of the area. Such a different part of the coastline, with the prevailing winds etc. The coastline above is actually the area just outside Opononi. (This town was named after a dolphin Opo, who in 1955 played with children and performed tricks. Unfortunately Opo was killed by unknown dynamite fishers. Apparently there is a statue and videos etc to this National treasure.)
Further down the West Coast is the Tane Mahuta. The largest Kauri tree left in New Zealand with a 168 ft height and 46 ft girth and counting.

A five minute walk to the tree with some incredible vegetation along the way was about the only rain we saw on this part of the trip. The Waipoua Forest Park is well worth a look.

New Zealand Part 8

Close to our residence up near Russell, was a small winery. Interesting wines...and the most beautiful view......talking of views..
we had been into Russell, for a Cray Fish Dinner...yummy!!!!! And while there the sun went down...Stephen was loving the views....
and the colours were outstanding. Must say that even though we were on the other side of the main activities...we reckon we had the best spot. Ever want to do the Bay of Islands...stay in Russell or the surrounding area.

New Zealand Part 7

Having seen this fabulous Waitangi Treaty Grounds from the ferry, we could not wait to get to the site.

The original Treaty House was the residence for the first British Resident in New Zealand.
Set up with all the home comforts.....

The whole grounds were very well set out with the huge War Canoes. Some of these brought some of the heads of the Maoris to sign the Treaty of Waitangi which was signed on February 6th 1840. This day is still celebrated with the meeting of Maoris and Government leaders each year.

The Maori Meeting House is one of the most incredible display of the wood sculpture Totems that we have ever seen.
We also drove on to Kerikeri to check out one of the oldest buildings in the area. This Stone Store was built in 1835 and still housed many of the items that would have been used in that era. Including tools, farm tools, woolen s right down to the old wooden pegs....

New Zealand Part 6

With so much to see we had to do a cruise. We choose the one out to the Hole in the Rock. On the way we pulled up for our own flipper display..it never cease to entertain us, watching the dolphins.
Typical scenery of New Zealand, gob smacking in its beauty.
The Hole in the Rock......

and yes we did go through!!!!!!!
Just check out the water colour...this is the cave area next to the hole in the rock....and thought to be the next hole in the making.

New Zealand Part 5

The next day we picked up a car and headed North to the Bay of Islands. On one of the back road, we found one of the original caravans...the things you see!
We arrived in a area just outside the town of Russell. We jagged ourselves an A frame unit with spa bath..... and Stephen made some of the best hamburgers we have had..the fresh produce was expensive but well worth it..the red wine was not bad either!
The private beach with views across the bay, out to the Bay of Islands.
One of the locals!!!