Hey All,
We’ve fallen a bit behind on our blogging as we settle into out New Zealand house sit experience in New Plymouth — but more on that later. We wanted to provide a brief overview on our full day in Taupo. Taupo is a beautiful town centered around Lake Taupo, the largest fresh water lake in Australasia. Unfortunately for us, our only full-day here was cold and rainy, but we tried to make the best of it.
We did about a 3 hour hike from our motel to Huka Falls in the off-and-on again rain. The falls are on the Waikato River that flows out of Lake Taupo (about 30 other rivers flow into it). The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand, and at least this stretch of it, is very, very clear. The falls themselves were a lovely blue color due to the clarity of the water and the presence of air bubbles in the water.
On the hike up we passed a bungy jump site and a thermal spa. There is a lot of geothermal activity in the region (mud baths, bubbling springs, steam, etc.) that they have harnessed for electric generation as well as tourist opportunities.
It was a nice hike/tramp even with the rain.
Afterwards we headed for a local craft brewery to do their 1:00 p.m. tour; however, they had cancelled the tour due to a meeting with their consultant. The brewmaster did take us in the back and talk with us briefly about the automated brewing systems they are helping to test. Apparently more breweries are being started worldwide than can be staffed with trained brewmasters. One is opening every 6 months in New Zealand and one per day in the US, per this individual anyway.
After the talk we went upstairs to the bistro, for a lovely lunch (french onion soup) and a shared beer tasting. Not being much of a beer person (how did I come from WI?), I just had a sip of each. I enjoyed the pale ale and porter (middle 2) more than the amber (super light) and cider.
The weather cleared for a bit in the late pm so that I (Beth) was able to get in a short run.
Peckish Travels 