Napier to Taupo
Most of our journey this morning was through thickly forested hills where we saw trees of all sizes, large bare areas and also large areas of replanting.
Part way to Taupo we stopped at a very ordinary looking view point but were surprised when we looked over the edge and saw this scenic waterfall.
Our motel room overlooks Lake Taupo, the largest lake in Australasia at 40 kilometers long, 30 kilometers wide and 186 meters deep. It is so big that it has its own tide and big waves on the shore.
In the mid-afternoon we drove to The Craters of the Moon, an active geothermal area. We walked around the three kilometers of pathways and up to a look-out point.
Some of the craters were quite big with boiling mud pools at the bottom and a strong smell of sulphur. Surprisingly they had quite a variety of plants growing in them which have adapted to the conditions.
A little further on are the very impressive and powerful Huka Falls. The water is a really bright turquoise green because it is so clear and pure. The bubbles caused by the turbulence enhance the colour.
1 comment:
Ack! I remember that smell of sulphur from the geysers we saw in the US! How funny that the water is so turquoise! It's a bit different to the Thames!
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