Taupo and Rotorua

Campsite in Taupo (pop. 21,000)

When we left Wellington, we looked at the weather channel and made the decision to follow the sun as we were feeling a bit sun deprived. So we headed inland toward Taupo and Rotorua.

And for our friend from Tassie, here is the rack of lamb done to perfection with the eggplant and veggies on the side. Of course a good bottle of wine too!

 

And unknown to us, the NZ Ironman competition was being held when we arrived in Taupo (pop. 21,000). And a Canadian fan to boot.

The Canadian flag spotted by the cycle track. And we heard that a S'toon participant had just crossed the finish line.

Small shuttle trip by boat to walk through the Orakei Korako geothermal area near Taupo.

Dave in the steam created by the boiling geysers.

The boardwalk looking down on the silica terraces with the river in the background.

Rotorua, population 70,000. This museum reflecting old Tutor architecture was the center of the town.

Te Puia, New Zealand's premier Maori culteral center. The guide was very gifted in entertaining us while teaching us about his culture.

And this is the largest of several geysers in the area. It erupts an average of once or twice every hour and can reach heights of 30m (100')

The above ground cemetery at this geothermal site!

Kia Ora, welcome to Tamaki Maori Village tour, dinner and show in Rotorua.

Parts of the village. The haka was performed. This is a Maori war dance and is also The All Blacks chant before their rugby games.

Our dinner was cooked underground with hot rocks. This meal was called the hangi. Polynesians call the meal a luau.

Ancestral meeting house where we were entertained.

The hangi consisted of chicken, pork and lamb, fish and mussels. Also potatoes, poi, salads and desserts. My favorite dessert Pavlova!! 

And just had to capture a better picture of the Pukeko bird. They are seen everywhwere. Love the colors and the white bob tail

Black swan primping in the waterway near Rotorua

Golfing on one of their geothermal courses