Lake Taupo

We are now in the thermal region of North Island where there are hot springs and geysers. 

We took a taxi to Napier airport where we picked up a car.  There were two planes on the tarmac waiting to go, one to Wellington and another to Auckland. People were waiting to wave travellers off as they boarded the plane.  

We watched the plane leave from the departure lounge 

Then the airport was empty

And the tractor came out to mow the grass 

We drove from Napier to our next stop, Lake Taupo, passing vintage cars on their way to Napier for Art Deco weekend.

This bus had to hitch a lift (the Mazda 3 is much worse than the Toyota Corolla for screen reflections)

John spent some time by a cafe waiting to get a good shot of a vintage car, the Mazda having very annoying reflections which spoil the photos, but they had all turned shy!  We did see a number of lorries carrying logs down to the harbour at Napier as the area's main industry was forestry.

We were staying in a cottage on the banks of Lake Taupo, but not overlooking the lake. In the evening, we walked along the lake when we passed these black swans enjoying the warm water. 

 

Our first sign of the temperature of the water was this stream which was hot to the touch

This sign, further along left us in no doubt

The next day, we set out for the Huka falls on the Wairakei river. 

The rapids and falls were impressive for the sheer volume of water flowing through a very confined channel and, of course, there was a jet boat just below the falls offering thrills and spills.

We walked on along the river in the direction of the spa pools.  We didn't get all the way, but we passed through some lovely woodland along the way

This hotel has a prime site by the river

This fantail was happy to sit in the tree being photographed, but he didn't want to show his face!

John was keen to see the geothermal electric power station, but this was as close as we got. 

Finally, we went to the spa pools further up the river where people were sitting in hot pools

We hadn't equipped ourselves for the bath (and it was too hot, even for Pat) but she still got her toes wet. 

This shows the fast flowing river by the spa pools that has to pass through the narrow channel of the falls. The water was crystal clear and John spotted a large and beautiful trout close to the bank.