After two days in Rotorua it was time to head for Taupo.
We had picked a few stops, the first was at the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland. We had visited Waiotapu before - it rained. This time we were a little luckier.
This is probably the most colourful of the geothermal attractions and it is very popular.
There are two distinct elements to the park. The core walk is mainly around a rocky area with large craters, some with boiling water on the surface, others with steam rising ominously from the depths, and many different colours from different minerals.
The centre piece is the artist’s palate, coloured lake.
The extended walk follows various watercourses. The streams and lakes are a kaleidoscope of colours.
The only downside is since our last visit part of the circular path has closed making parts very congested, with people walking both ways.
It started drizzling and this caused thick steam to rise from the artist’s palate - you could hardly see in the hot mist.
The final pool was a bit discoloured by the minerals.
Unfortunately the weather deteriorated. We probably spent more time over coffees than any other time on the holiday.
Bee world was the next stop. This was a fabulous spot, dedicated to all things bees. And probably the biggest selection of different honeys in one place I will ever see. I have never been much of a honey-eater but could really get the taste based on the honeys I got to taste that day.
Haku Falls are not high, but very powerful. 110,000 litres a minute - enough water to fill an olympic size swimming pool in 11 seconds.
The river is forced into a much narrower gorge. The falls are where the water leaves the gorge into a wider channel. It is unusual that the water in the falls probably travels further horizontally than it falls.
Being New Zealand there are jet boats at the falls!
Taupo was a nice little town, we had a walk round in a drizzle but then, it rained very very heavily. And it was time for cheese on toast and beers in the motel.
The following morning, I had a walk along the lakefront. There was a wonderful view over the lake to the mountains. There were plenty of inviting eateries that we would have eaten at in better weather.
And some interesting artwork.
