Trip Downunder Sept 07 – Entry 8: Into the National Park

Huka Falls
Well today has been pleasantly slow and quite lacking in excitement – a welcome respite after yesterday’s highlights. I stopped off to take a walk down to the better lookout of Huka Falls, and another round the Taupo Museum, had a rather nice Clam Chowder in an eatery in Taupo, then took the long way round (and more scenic route) down the west coast of Lake Taupo to the National Park, and on up to Mount Ruapehu and the
Grand Chateau hotel – which is splendid.

Here it is time for a relaxed dinner in their splendid Edwardian style restaurant, while the rain pours down outside.

On the way down from Rotarua to Taupo, I passed this amazing installation making excellent use of the local volcanic conditions to power today’s society:

Geothermal Power Station

At the Taupo Museum I was treated to an award winning garden, and the portraits of two 19th century Maori chiefs:

Award Wining Taupo Garden - Chelsea Flower Show no less

Rutene Te Uamairangi Rahui - 19th cent Maori chief in Taupo museum

another 19th cent Maori chief in Taupo museum

On the way down from Taupo to the National Park – taking the scenic route down the west of the lake – I was blessed with some incredible vistas, worth stopping for a few minutes to breathe in the view, and take a snap:

View of Lake Taupo