Left Napier and headed to Taupo, arriving about midday. Stopped on the lake edge to take in the view on this perfect sunny day. It is actually warmer here in Taupo than Napier. The cool crisp weather is started to come in so will be interesting to see if it has cooled down in Auckland. We then had a bite to eat for lunch a small walk round town then went to check in at the Wairakei Resort for one night.
Lovely setting with beautiful well kept grounds with two hot pools.
Just out of Napier we stopped at the Mission Estate Winery which was established in 1851. As we arrived there it was too early for a taste but we couldn't leave Napier without having a walk round.
The above photo is the long drive up through the tree lined drive to this magnificent setting with its beautiful old building.
And the drive continues some more.
The bar but too early for a taste.
Hard photo to take as looking straight into the sun.
Going over the hills to Taupo.
What a great day, no wind on the lake at all. You can just see the mountains in the distance.
Zoomed in on the mountains
Nice comfortable quite room at the Wairakei Resort with a lovely look out over the gardens to the hills beyond.
Looking over the balcony, Wairakei Geothermal Power Station puffing up its steam between the trees.
Zoomed in shot of the hills beyond with all its different colours.
Outside of the hotel wing we are staying in. So quiet and peaceful especially after the busy traffic that passed our room along Marine Parade in Napier. So relaxing here. Not looking forward to the mad traffic in Auckland.
Zoomed in to the Power Station. Quite relaxing sitting on the balcony just watching the puffs of steam coming up.
After booking in about 1.00pm had a coffee and headed down to Huka Falls. Always enjoy going to see them. The river flowing down very fast from the lake, before it hits the falls.
Over the falls .
These two taken from the look-out looking down onto the falls. It was fun watching the jet boats coming and going and doing their daring spins. Lots of screams.
The look out as you head north just out of Taupo. A lot of new homes too.
Looking down the contributory river over to the cliffs where they were doing bungy jumps,
Went for a walk through the hotel grounds and around the border of the land this historical Te Kiri O Hinekai Stream, which once ran through the hotel property prior to the establishment of the Wairakei geothermal power station. It has recently been re-established. A number of warning signs have been posted along the stream bed, warning of the potential danger posed by the very hot geothermal water.
PT tests the water temperature and said it was very hot. You can see here the steam but it is a lot thicker in different parts of the stream.
This evening went down for a drink in the bar before we went through to the restaurant for dinner. All very nice way to finished our ten day holiday.
Every thing all went well, generally the weather was great, one or two wet days and two days with full cloud, the rest were lovely sunshine days so we were pretty lucky. We have had a great time but at times quite tiring as we tried to do as much as we could, as we usually do.
Back to Auckland tomorrow.
