Day 7 – North Island – Friday 12th March 2010

Set off at 9:30am to take a trip on the lake. Decided to utilise the services of the Earnest Kemp. This is a newish boat built to a 1920’s design. We booked the 10:30am excursion and then went off and did a bit of shopping. I purchased a native New Zealand pullover. Wine red. It is made from Possum and Merino. Very nice. Kept me nice and warm on board ship!!

Took off on time at 10:30 and sailed out onto the lake. That’s Ed and me trying to look nautical. The trip took us down past more expensive homes in Acacia Bay and we reached the Maori Carvings that are a renowned feature of the place. Took a further shed load of photos. The one shown is a carving of a Taniwha, a mythical Moari beast. Then crossed the lake to the other side and returned back to base. A two hour trip. Just the job.

We then returned to the hotel for lunch and then set off to Wairakei steam field and power station. Then went on to the glassblowing place. Lava Glass was the speciality. Very ingenious and delightful designs but a bit on the expensive side, methinks. Then went to visit the Taupo Volcanic Activity Centre to see the science behind the geothermal effects we witnessed and the consequences when nature blows its top. Took a brief look at the Huka Prawn Park – really a fish farm for prawns. Then went to look in awe at the Huka Falls. A raging torrent of water that crashes through a narrow ravine. The water flow is such that it could fill an Olympic Swimming pool in three seconds. That’s a lot of water. Returned to the hotel and crashed out for a while before going out to the Mole and Chicken. This is a local pub/restaurant and the food was great.