Shoes off for dip in the creek, it's 5 degrees out with a South wind!

Lake Taupo from our Hotel Room

Lake Taupo, the largest lake in NZ, was formed
in a defunct caldera (are they ever really defunct?), and is teeming with trout.  The lake is fed by 3 rivers and empties into the Waikato River, the longest river in NZ.  As the waters leave the lake they create Huka Falls and then continue down a verdant valley to an area of hot springs.

We walked the 9K path along the river 45 minutes in one direction and 30 coming back.  Lots of panting and at times gasping for breath, as the terrain can be quite steep.  But our goal was to reach the hot 'baths' where we had been encouraged to dip our feet. 

Map of Waikato River and Lake Taupo

 Along the way we remarked that what we don't see in NZ, and what we really miss, are the wild mammals, ie, deer, bob cats, bear, raccoons, etc... What they do have are feral pigs and possum, and a multitude of birds.  Of course the pigs and possum were imported and are a nuisance.

Waikato River

Hot pools with local fauna.

On reaching the warm waters some young bathers gave us permission to take their pictures.  It was a little incongruous to be dressed in jackets, scarves, mittens and knit hats while watching the young Kiwis enjoy a warm soak.

Huka Falls

Coming back to the falls we viewed a jet boat whipping tourists around in the foaming waters which were the product of the crashing Huka Falls effluent.

As we enjoyed the 'fresh' weather in Taupo we heard that our Howick neighbors were inundated with winds and pelting rain along the Tamaki Strait.

This is truly a diverse country and is obviously beautiful  All good,  J