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T&KonTour
Monday 11 April, Napier to Taupo
C&S have packed and are ready to go, but there is time for a stroll along the front to take a photo of a mermaid. Somewhat bigger, we are told, than the one in Copenhagen. Our drive today is reasonably short, being 140km inland, and back to the volcanic terrain in the Taupo district.
We arrive in time for a coffee, book C&S on an afternoon lake cruise, and take a stroll around the shops. Only 90 minutes, but 30 minutes too long for the parking allowance. All the spots are electronically monitored and parking is "free" but who can do their shopping etc. in just an hour? So we arrive back just as the ticket is being issued for the admittedly modest fine of $12.00. All very clever to catch the tourist for whom parking is obviously not meant to be free, adding dollars to the Local Taupo Council's coffers! We won't be coming back here.
T&K have opted to walk the 6km from town, through the Spa Thermal Park and on to Huka Falls. A fine but overcast day, perfect for walking, but the hot spring is too busy for us, so we keep going, walking along the east side of the river, to arrive at Huka Falls. Formed by a bar of harder rock, the water is channeled through a 15m wide by 10m deep natural race, and then over a ~15m waterfall. An impressive and powerful current, with 40,000 litres of water per second going over the falls.
Colin and Suz enjoy their cruise with tea & home-made muffins, Maori rock carvings, history and culture, and trout fishing. Colin assures me that they caught 3 good fish, but two were just a whisker below size. One of the passengers scored a nice trout for tea.
C&S have packed and are ready to go, but there is time for a stroll along the front to take a photo of a mermaid. Somewhat bigger, we are told, than the one in Copenhagen. Our drive today is reasonably short, being 140km inland, and back to the volcanic terrain in the Taupo district.
We arrive in time for a coffee, book C&S on an afternoon lake cruise, and take a stroll around the shops. Only 90 minutes, but 30 minutes too long for the parking allowance. All the spots are electronically monitored and parking is "free" but who can do their shopping etc. in just an hour? So we arrive back just as the ticket is being issued for the admittedly modest fine of $12.00. All very clever to catch the tourist for whom parking is obviously not meant to be free, adding dollars to the Local Taupo Council's coffers! We won't be coming back here.
T&K have opted to walk the 6km from town, through the Spa Thermal Park and on to Huka Falls. A fine but overcast day, perfect for walking, but the hot spring is too busy for us, so we keep going, walking along the east side of the river, to arrive at Huka Falls. Formed by a bar of harder rock, the water is channeled through a 15m wide by 10m deep natural race, and then over a ~15m waterfall. An impressive and powerful current, with 40,000 litres of water per second going over the falls.
Colin and Suz enjoy their cruise with tea & home-made muffins, Maori rock carvings, history and culture, and trout fishing. Colin assures me that they caught 3 good fish, but two were just a whisker below size. One of the passengers scored a nice trout for tea.
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