Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Taupo is ... well, Taupo!

It promotes itself as 'The Great Lake' and as at 'the centre of it all'. It is both these and more.
IMG_7955It is without doubt a glorious spot beside an impressive lake - a huge expanse of water.

While the lake doesn't have the scenic grandeur of, say Lake Manapouri or Lake Tekapo, it is nonetheless accessible, close to alpine activities in winter, and a magnet with those who like their activities water-based.


IMG_7971IMG_7799
Interestingly, there is a noticeable absence of tour-groups - especially the mass presence of Korean, Chinese or Japanese tourists one encounters in Rotorua. The two centres clearly target different market segments - Rotorua looks to the Asian tour-group market and shows them the Maori and geothermal attractions; while Taupo appeals to the domestic family and foreign freedom holidaymakers interested in activity- and especially water-based attractions, or just lazing by the lake.

So we spent a week there in early January. The lake is the centre-piece, so we walked alongside it each day while others played above or around or in it.


IMG_7920IMG_7924IMG_8037


The shore lends itself to swimming as many of the swimming spots are 'naturally heated'


IMG_7912IMG_7916IMG_7983IMG_7987


As the days wind down into evening the lake and surrounds can provide a stunning vista.


IMG_7995IMG_7999IMG_8004IMG_8005IMG_8017


Unfortunately, not everythings goes according to plan, and occasionally there are blackspots in the idyll.


IMG_7934IMG_7929


We didn't just stay by the Lake. Desiree went to the hot pools, and we went to see an historic site at Opepe, an Historic and Scenic Reserve. Although the historic elements aren't particularly well preserved, it is a very pleasant walk through some typical native forest with its dense undergrowth and towering canopy trees.


IMG_7883IMG_7887IMG_7892IMG_7802IMG_7804IMG_7807IMG_7819IMG_7824IMG_7826IMG_7829IMG_7835IMG_7838IMG_7842IMG_7855IMG_7863IMG_7867IMG_7871IMG_7880IMG_7906IMG_7903


After a couple of days on our own, Jayne & Nicky joined us.


IMG_7976IMG_7973IMG_7978


I didn't visit the pub, but I did have a wander about - the 'circus' was a riot of vibrant colours.


IMG_8048IMG_8040IMG_8096IMG_8070IMG_8078IMG_8085IMG_8091IMG_8056IMG_8065IMG_8102


Later in the week we took a day trip to Rotorua to visit Desiree's sister Adrienne and her daughter Tania - actually it was to visit Tania's new son Ben, and to see Tania & Colin's idyllic lakeside location. More water, food, leavened with a little primal excitement!


IMG_8169IMG_8179IMG_8182IMG_8139IMG_8146IMG_8154IMG_8492IMG_8501IMG_8502IMG_8208IMG_8216IMG_8222


Tania & Colin have a lovely dog - a husky called Flossy.


IMG_8189IMG_8112IMG_8193


She is a lovely friendly and quiet dog. But during the course of the afternoon she became increasingly agitated and interested in something up a tree at the water's edge. Now, I know dogs don't climb trees, but Flossy was doing her best!


IMG_8198IMG_8202IMG_8205


It turns out a dumb possum had climbed the tree, which activity sparked Flossy's excitement. As we became aware of what was happening, the possum made a break for safety - fat chance! Flossy apprehended it, released it when told to, so that the possum could be shot. After it's fur was retrieved (it's fetching $NZ110 a kilo at present), Flossy was allowed to munch on the bones, which she did under the watchful eye of a nosy magpie!


IMG_8452IMG_8453IMG_8454IMG_8457IMG_8460IMG_8467IMG_8509


The final act of the week was to say farewell to the swans and ducks on the foreshore as we headed homewards.


IMG_8550IMG_8553IMG_8556IMG_8558IMG_8559

No comments: