The Road to Taupo

Native Tree Cafe & Gardens

On my return to NZ from Washington State and Colorado, I enjoyed a wonderful reunion with my husband.  He did miss me!

One of the first things he wanted to do, in celebrating his successfully finishing his 'on the job training' and my return, was to take a road trip to Lake Taupo.  We had seen it in the 1980s, but wanted to see it again.

Local produce and culture (picture of Marilyn Monroe?)

We determined to take rural roads rather than highways and see parts of NZ we would not normally view enroute.  We left a rainy, cold Auckland and travelled south.  Unfortunately, we got stuck behind two heavily laden trucks. 

Beef and Mushroom Pie

I do not like to drive with my forward vision impaired.  But, as often occurs when driving with one's spouse the passenger sits quietly and mentally reminds him/herself that people do things in different ways and one way is not always the best!!!! Keep calm and carry your thoughts inward!

So doing the adult thing I feigned hunger to point of being famished and asked that we please stop at the next coffee shop.  Low and behold just before we pulled off the road into a cafe parking area the trucks took an alternate turn and we stopped at a quaint, horrendously expensive cafe (hamburger $14. with chips) and I ordered the beef and mushroom pie.  Nothing like beef stew in a pie crust to start the day with a delicious, aromatic, savory, flaky crust encapsulated 'diet guilt trip'!  But it cost only $6. and carried me well into dinner.  I did admit to my driver that the whole stop was a ruse to stop following large trucks, buses and caravans.  This did make for a less stressful auto trip as we progressed southward.

As the road trip continued the surrounds became greener, with quaint farms, cattle, sheep, etc...  It was winter, but the NZ sun blasted through the clouds warming the landscape and my heart as my eyes soaked in the beauty of country life.

Motel near bull ring

NZ is nothing if not a tourist's dream.  The roads are good and not clogged with conveyances.  The people are friendly and they seem to be always promoting the unexpected.  Maybe it is the mix of cultures which makes the country more interesting. 

I was amazed to see a sign promoting a 'bull ring'.  Come on! This is New Zealand not Cadiz! 

Good trip, happy remembrance! J