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When we arrived in Taupo we went to the i-centre but were there 10 minutes after it closed, so went for a little drive trying to find somewhere to stay! We stopped in car park, and luckily spotted a hostel across the road that had already been recommended to us in Rotarura! They had one space left in the car park which was a result and we were still allowed to use all of their facilities! This option is working out a lot cheaper than campsites, the only thing is we have to keep an eye on the campers battery as we are still using electricity but not plugging into main electricity source. Sometimes we have to go for a little drive or turn the engine on for a bit to recharge a little.
We decided we wanted to do four things in Taupo, the first was see what the nightlife was like, then over the next couple of days we wanted to go to the natural hot pools, Jet boating and Tim and Lloyd wanted to do a Tandem water dunk Bungee jump!
The hostel had a bar that was open until 10 so we stayed in there until then playing a bit of pool, we then made our way to Element which is apparently where all the backpackers go. It was the same as the first night in Rotorura really, not very busy but we just chanted to and had a little dance with a few people from our hostel. We all got a bit bored so headed home at about 1ish nit without shopping at McDonald's first. The meals on the night menu here in MaccyDs is two burgers chips and a drink. Were now starting to realise why so many Kiwis are massive!
The next day Lloyd and Tim wanted to do the bungee jump, not far from that was the hot pools and Huka falls which is another waterfall that is worth seeing. So first up it was the bungee, it was only 50m but it's the highest water dunk bungee in New Zealand, and we both wanted to experience a water dunk one. Obviously 50m is nothing compared to the 233 we did in Macau but it's still a bit nerve-racking! Before we jumped they were saying that the water level is low and there is no guarantee that we would hit the water, we risked it anyway as we thought, even if we don't hit the water we are doing it together so it is still different! Next thing we knew we were on the edge of the platform and '3,2,1' we were off! It's exactly the same feeling leaving the platform as it was in Macau, you basically feel like you're flying! We got closer and closer to the water but ended up missing it by about 6 inches, we were gutted, the next guy done it on his own and got his head dunked which rubbed the salt in the wound even more but it was still worth it, I'm sure by now you know how much we love jumping off stuff!
The natural spa hot pools were only a 15 minute walk from the bungee place so we moved the van into the right car park then walked down the track to the pools! There were about 20 people in the water when we got there so we stripped down to our swimmers and got in. Where you get in it's a bit weird as it is where the hot water meets the cold water in the river so different parts of your body are different temperatures. As we moved towards a small waterfall where the hot water is sourced from the volcanic rock the water gets hotter and hotter and is actually really nice! After a while we went the higher level where you can kind of sit in the waterfall. It's so relaxing, better than aqua springs any day and 100% cheaper!
After that relaxing session the weather was quite nice so had a little pic-nic then took a 10 minute drive to Huka Falls. They are a small but powerful' set of rapids with a 6m waterfall at the end, there is so much water going over it at so much speed, apparently enough to fill 5 Olympic sized swimming pools in one minute! We checked out the various view points of the falls then went for a little hike up a track, there was nothing to see though so after about 15 minutes turned back and went back to the van.
On the way back we booked up the jet boating for the next day at 12.30. We didn't want to go out that night as the night before was pretty poor, but we were bored so decided to do the mist cultural thing of the whole trip and go to the cinema. We watched Bad Neighbours and it was hilarious! Later Tim streamed the Liverpool game on the Tablet at 2am, only for them to win but city to also win winning city the title, So softer months of our two teams being at the top of the league we have both won nothing! Bring on the 15th of June…COME ON ENGLAND!!
When we booked the Jet boat the rep said that there is a dam that is released at 12 o'clock every day right near where the Jet boat centre is and is quite good to see! We turned up to a few people standing on the bridge and a big timer with 6 minutes left on it! We stood on the bridge and with about 10 seconds remaining the gates opened and the water came rushing through! Within about 3 or 4 minutes the water level had risen about 4 metres and was now crashing down the rocks on the other side of the bridge, later on, on the jet boat we would see the last of the water that was released from the dam coming out the other end of some rapids!
We arrived at the Jet boat centre and paid the rest of what we owed and were then issued with a massive body length waterproof jacket and a life jacket. It was is three and an older Kiwi couple on our boat. We all jumped in, and off we went, we hit speeds of up to 85kmh which on water is pretty fast! We also went through a set of rapids which made us get a bit of air! The driver stopped every so often down the river telling us where parts of the Hobbit films had been filmed and the Jogi Bear film, he also told us a bit about the natural history of the rocks and cliffs around us which was quite interesting! We were on the boat for around 45 minutes and it was a right thrill, we all did agree though that we thought it was going to be a bit faster, we think he held back a little because of the older couple on the boat maybe! Was still totally worth it, we could hardly see when we at its fastest!
After the Jet boating we set off on a five hour drive to Wellington, this is where we het the ferry to the south island, where everyone says is even better than north island, just colder, but we'll get over that!!
P.s the WiFi isn't thenbest here so you might have to wait a couple of days for the photos to be up loaded for these last blogs!
- comments
Nan & gramps Hope you get this Having problems with server,have already tried to send you one.glad to know you are still enjoying all you are doing,all sounds really good although can't see us in the caves or going down waterfalls,can't wait to see photos.Be careful and TAKE CARE luv & miss you loads nan & gramps xxx
robinXXXRobin I have to remember to breathe when I get to the end of your blogs - they are so amazing and action packed. Yes, we do understand that you love jumping off things haha. Great stuff thanks. Go careful. love you Xxx