"05 Rotorua to Taupo" New Zealand Travelogue by seth0919

New Zealand Travel Guide: 16,388 reviews and 34,136 photos

AT the NZ Maori Arts & Crafts institute we saw traditional Maori carvings and how Maori’s lived in the old days. Also in the same area we were given a tour of a geothermal area. Ngapuna Tokotoru & Hauanu Pools - These pools have continuously changing mud formations and have been named the "flower pots" and "glad eye" mud pools. These pools consist of white kaolin and silica resulting from steam and acid gases decomposing the ground.

The Huka Falls, due to recent rains were flowing at a class six level. The falls while not high are interesting because the river is so narrow at this point, making it incredibly dangerous. Apparently several years ago a movie company wanted to film a rafting scene over the Huka falls, so they hired the best NZ Navy seamen to raft the river and falls. They did it and barely survived, however there was a problem with the movie cameras and no footage was salvageable. The film company asked the men to do it again, they all refused. After offering ten thousand NZ dollars to the men, they all still refused, saying it was just too dangerous.

“Craters of the Moon” geothermal area was next on way to Taupo. In these geothermal areas the Earth’s magma is only 3.7 miles below the surface of the Earth. I’d qualify this as a similar stop to the Agrodome. While interesting, we had seen plenty of geothermal activity in Rotorua. (see photo)

Arriving in Taupo gave us some free time to do some shopping. There are plenty of great little shops in town and while still feeling like millionaires, the Americans picked up a few things here and there. The hotel allowed us the chance to clean up and hit the hot tub to relax after walking around all day. Dinner was aboard the Chris Jolly Boat. The Chris Jolly is basically a floating restaurant/bar that offers people the opportunity to also do some fishing. We were lucky to catch some great Rainbow Trout allowing us to add fresh sashimi to the dinner menu. Drinks were flowing and the scenery was splendid. We could see the town of Taupo from the water, lit up it look quite quaint.

When the dinner boat re-docked, the group decided to hit a local watering hole called The Two Cows. Ironically, many NZ bars play 80’s American music. Again the drinks were flowing and it’s tradition to dance on the tables at this bar, and who are we to break from tradition?

more photos of the mud pools, the craters and the nightlife at:
http://public.fotki.com/seth0919/new_zealand_2001/05_-_rotorua_to_taupo/

I caught this Rainbow Trout while on the dinner/booze cruise....turned out to be the best sashimi I've ever tasted!

Page Written Aug 30, 2002
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Comments (11)

adite Sep 19, 2003 at 6:59 AM Report Abuse

Lovely travelogue!
sarabee Aug 11, 2002 at 2:23 PM Report Abuse

I`m so jealous! Sounds like a great trip :)
Ruthy2001 Aug 1, 2002 at 12:18 AM Report Abuse

makes me more tenmpted to visit, like the photos!
floss1 May 9, 2002 at 12:56 PM Report Abuse

Lovely written! Nice picture!
kiwi May 9, 2002 at 12:52 PM Report Abuse

Fantastic trip, Lake Ohau I love it there!!
RachelMcD May 9, 2002 at 9:30 AM Report Abuse

Great Travelogues. You went to a lot of the places I did.
DaKat May 9, 2002 at 9:16 AM Report Abuse

What a great travelogue tour - well done!
trotador May 8, 2002 at 11:46 AM Report Abuse

where did you buy those postcards, ha,ha!!!
diver-x Apr 22, 2002 at 5:01 PM Report Abuse

You`re pictures are wonderful! Sounds like I need to go there
hollyday Apr 18, 2002 at 2:54 AM Report Abuse

a great first day...