Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo. New Zealand's largest lake that also happens to lay in a caldera of super volcano. No doubt lake Taupo would be stop on our journey. But first, a stop in Waitomo and a tour of glow worm cave. Since we really have been taking the cheap end of things and passing on guided tours, we decided to pay the $48 to get a close look at Glowworms and have a tour through a cave. When we all gathered at the entrance of the cave and our guide was going through all the safety precautions, Liz and I really had no idea what we were heading in. As soon as the door opened (yes, a door to a cave) and we walked through. I couldn't believe my eyes. Like seriously, I couldn't believe it. I actually thought I was at universal studios. Maybe it was the door, but as i looked around in awe, it was the glistening limestone walls that go for ages. It was the stalactites hanging from the walls and ceiling like icicles. The stalagmites growing from the floor. All formed and continuing to form, from water over thousands and thousands of years. Turns out, it wasn't universal studies, it wasn't man made, it was natural and it was beautiful. As the guide took us through the cave explaining the history, pointing out different features, including faces carved in the stone for a little humor (those were natural too...like shapes you begin to see in clouds if you look long enough), everyone took in the sites around them in awe and in silence. Eventually, we started heading down in darkness to the end of the tour. This was a boat ride along the Waikato river, new Zealand's largest river, and the river that feeds into lake Taupo, but first going through the cave. The first group of people got in the boat and we were left to wait for him to come back. Liz and I stood in the darkness, knowing there was a river but having no idea where it was, or even what direction our guide headed. It was dark, like real dark, all you could see was the little blue glow of hundreds of Glowworms above us. Little larvae shining their light to attract other insects so the larvae can eat.  Now, I was amazed earlier in the cave, but now I was REALLY amazed. It almost seemed like you were looking up at a dark sky filled with really bright shining stars. After waiting about 10 minutes in pitch black making jokes about falling into the pitch black river, animals that lurk in the river (like eels) or the cave falling in and having no light to be able to see how to save ourselves, thankfully, the guide came back. As the the remainder of our group got on the boat, the guide pushes off the dock and we float in darkness and silence, no engine or paddle, under the glow warms taking in there majesty until we see light. The end of the cave. We stepped off the boat and on to a dock and that was that. It was glorious and left me wanting to explore more and more caves but on we must push to Lake Taupo.

When we arrived to Lake Taupo in the late afternoon we first headed into the town of well, Taupo. After first driving through, we parked our van and decided to walk around. We visited a couple cute stores, made a trip to the bank, then headed down to the lake for a good view. And good view it was. The lake seems to go on and on and on, surrounded by beautiful house lined hills and, of course, the amazing clouds cutting off the mountains in the distance really topped it off. We sat at a lakeside table taking it all in. Over this past month, Liz and I have experienced many breathtaking views. They just don't seem to stop. Because of this, we find ourselves in stillness having to take in each view, trying to capture it forever. Of course we have cameras, and hundreds of pictures in our memory cards, but those really don't do New Zealand's beauty any justice. For any of you guys that have been, you know what I mean. The layers and layers of blue, from the oceans, the rivers, lakes, mountains, the sky along with the contrasts of the greens, the deep greens of the rolling hills or many different types of vegetation we pass, and now in the fall we have bright yellows, oranges, reds, every direction is scene to be seen. As much as the pictures don't do it justice, neither will any words. Yet, from the moments we wake up until we crawl back into bed to sleep, we find ourselves near speechless over and over, many times we are only able to muster the words "wow" or "this is just beautiful."

After taking in the sight of New Zealand's largest lake, we headed to our free campsite at this place Reid's farm, one of new Zealand's largest and most well known free campsites. It was located about 5 minutes outside of Taupo along the river. We found a spot among the already settled tents and vans near the bathrooms and settled in. Pulled out our new chairs we were very excited about and stove ready for dinner.  Pasta with garlic and tomato along with a salad. We are growing to love our little camping stove more and more and becoming more adventurous with it. The next morning? Bacon and toast. Although the stove is very little and it took us about an hour to cook the bacon and toast the toast, we love it. It is always an adventure in itself to find what we can make with our limited budget and our limited tools.

Once we enjoyed our bacon and toast, we went to Huka falls. A little north of Taupo where the Waikato river goes from being 100 meters wide down into a 15 meter wide canyon.  Although the falls aren't tall the tallest or anything like that, they certainly are powerful.  220,000 litres of crystal blue water rushing down into a pool. After a small hike around the falls we went to huka honey hive, where they have there own bee hives you can view and of course lots of honey to taste or buy. We spent along time fascinated by all the bees and everything we learned about the bees from the different types, like scout bees sent to find flowers with good pollen, honey bees, sent to collect pollen, worker bees, queen bees, the honey, beeswax, royal jelly...oh that royal jelly, and many more crazy bee facts. After  becoming bee experts, we sampled honey, and lots of it. I had no idea of all the different honeys that exist! Once we were honeyed out and thought we have to buy some honey, we ended up leaving with a mango chili mayo. I guess we were really honeyed out, but this sauce was just to good to pass up.

Honeyed out, we headed back into town. We first found a nice quite spot on the lake to make sandwiches, featuring what else but mango chili mayo. A very nice addition to our love of sandwiches and our mass consumption of them. Then we headed to pac n' sav, our favorite grocery store here based on one thing...it is cheap! We stocked up on fruits, cheeses, ham, pasta, trail mix, etc.   and headed back to our free camp site where we were early enough to grab a prime spot right on the river. We set up our chairs, grabbed our books and enjoyed the passing river, kayaks, and groups of Asians finding amusement in the littlest of things. Once it started to get darker we made our dinner. Butter chicken and a salad with avocado and corn along with a glass of wine. Delicious once again. Once it grows dark, we climb into the back of our van with our lights to continue reading.

This morning was a big day. We woke up to enjoy coffee along with an apple and peanut butter. Filled up water bottles, packed our backpack and set out for the tangariro alpine crossing. A 7 hour hike along volcanic terrain about 45minutes south of Taupo and known as New Zealand's best one day trek.Yet, as we started our drive, we noticed it was POURING rain right in the direction we were heading. Since we rarely reach Internet, and most of the time we don't know our plan for even the next day, we haven't way of checking anything like the weather...we just hope for the best. The best was not happening. We arrived to one end of the trail to a sign saying "road closed due to danger or recent volcanic activity" . Welp. So we headed to the other entrance to at least see what this was about. This entrance was open and in the poring rain and cold winds read about the track and saw half the track is closed from a volcano that erupted late last year and since it was on Maori ground, and they find the recent volcano rock very sacred, that part of the track was closed. After much consideration and debate, we decided to put off the trek until summer and better weather. We left disappointed but knowing it will be much more enjoyable and we will be able to see more when we return. So we had little chice but to continued our quest south.