Auckland In & Out!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Huka falls
View from the apartment
So after a late start and an amazing breakfast in our swanky hotel - Neil collected our hire vehicle for the week - hmmmm not quite the car we all hoped for - the the next few days it was fondly referred to as "The Shed" - it stank, it was dirty and rusty but is was very cheap! After a wet and windy journey we arrived at Jill & Ian's - The Relies in Lake Taupo! Quick brew then off to the Lakeside motel home for 5 days.
What struck us most was the drop in temperature blimely it was cold, electric blankets, heaters on full blast and bed socks a must! Next morning pulled back the curtains and the view again was beautiful Lake Taupo, however, the rain was upon us so quick stock up at "Woolworths" yes still open over here! Roast chicken with Yorkshires - luverly! Popped to see the family and gather some ideas for the next few days.
Saturday brought us great weather sun was shining so we drove to Rotorua for the day and booked a Floatplane for a 30 minute flight over the amazing volcanic scenery - great experience and fantastic photos and video. Although happy that the smells can't be reproduced as the sulphur does get up your nose after a while.
Sunday we went for a drive with Dale - Neil's cousin, to check out local "Hotspots" - including the bungy jump - Eloise and Alice were quite keen but felt the queue was a little long! The jump didn't bother them!
After lunch we drove around the Lake and had a leisurely stroll along the pumice beach great location and no-one around, so tranquil.
Next morning we went to Huka falls to watch the water being released from upstream - cold but worth it - then drove for a couple of hours to Mount Ruapehu - views were outstanding AGAIN - didn't ski but took the chairlift for sightseeing purposes had a hot chocolate and then back down again.
Tuesday 28th - Samuel's 9th birthday - usual birthday morning early start presents and cards - then a visit to the SPCA - Jill volunteers there and the children wanted to cuddle a puppy, well actually they wanted the puppy! Then gourmet lunch at the Golden Arches in a DC3 (Dakota) yep don't get that in Chippenham!
"Rock n Ropes" for afters - amazing the kids were fearless 40m high and jumping, walking backwards and throwing themselves off!
Our last night in Taupo - airport tomorrow that will make a change then?
What struck us most was the drop in temperature blimely it was cold, electric blankets, heaters on full blast and bed socks a must! Next morning pulled back the curtains and the view again was beautiful Lake Taupo, however, the rain was upon us so quick stock up at "Woolworths" yes still open over here! Roast chicken with Yorkshires - luverly! Popped to see the family and gather some ideas for the next few days.
Saturday brought us great weather sun was shining so we drove to Rotorua for the day and booked a Floatplane for a 30 minute flight over the amazing volcanic scenery - great experience and fantastic photos and video. Although happy that the smells can't be reproduced as the sulphur does get up your nose after a while.
Sunday we went for a drive with Dale - Neil's cousin, to check out local "Hotspots" - including the bungy jump - Eloise and Alice were quite keen but felt the queue was a little long! The jump didn't bother them!
After lunch we drove around the Lake and had a leisurely stroll along the pumice beach great location and no-one around, so tranquil.
Next morning we went to Huka falls to watch the water being released from upstream - cold but worth it - then drove for a couple of hours to Mount Ruapehu - views were outstanding AGAIN - didn't ski but took the chairlift for sightseeing purposes had a hot chocolate and then back down again.
Tuesday 28th - Samuel's 9th birthday - usual birthday morning early start presents and cards - then a visit to the SPCA - Jill volunteers there and the children wanted to cuddle a puppy, well actually they wanted the puppy! Then gourmet lunch at the Golden Arches in a DC3 (Dakota) yep don't get that in Chippenham!
"Rock n Ropes" for afters - amazing the kids were fearless 40m high and jumping, walking backwards and throwing themselves off!
Our last night in Taupo - airport tomorrow that will make a change then?
