Taupo and Rotoura

February 20, 2015
Lake Taupo and its city, Taupo, are a major tourist attraction. The lake is the largest in New Zealand and like many lakes in New Zealand it fills a giant volcanic caldera. Just time for us to have lunch, take a few photos as we move on to Rotorua.

Rotorua is in the heart of Maori country and is known for its lake, mineral springs, geysers, and other geothermic marvels. After your eyes have feasted on the scenery they and your nose begin to smart from the hydrogen sulfide fumes which permeates the air. These fumes are considered a tourist attraction, whereas other places consider them pollution. It is also the site of a past world famous health spa during a time when hot sulfur springs and electric shock baths were considered therapeutic. As for the Maori, they perform for tourists. We kept our Maori education limited to museum exhibits.

We did enjoy a gondola right to a restaurant atop one of the hills, had a great sunset buffet, before descending to a nearby zoo to see Kiwis eating worms at night. We met travelers to Stewart Island at the southern end of New Zealand where they failed to see any Kiwis in the wild. They were not impressed when we told them about our Kiwi experience, albeit in a zoo.

Lake Taupo

Mary on the shore of Lake Taupo

Huka Falls running away from Lake Taupo

Hot springs at Rotura

Terraced pools at hot springs. Yes that blue is true color.

Terraced springs from below.

Proof that we were at the "Famous and Historic Rotoura Health Bath

Geezers playing croquet on health lawn in land of geysers

Rotorua from hilltop restaurant

A DC3 McDonalds in Rotorua.