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Lake Taupo - Avoiding the perfect storm

Following our caving adventure, we were warned of an impending weather bomb; the "largest storm" to hit NZ in "10 years". We were excited. Much to our disappointment, we missed the eye and only encountered dreadful rain throughout our 2 hour drive towards Lake Taupo. Lake Taupo is apparently the largest freshwater lake in the southern hemisphere - our plans for sky diving over this lake (we thought it appropriate considering it is also the sky diving capital of NZ) were dashed due to poor weather conditions. Nevermind! we were able to explore some of the town's other attributes; namely its fresh seafood.

 • Highlights:The lake. it is enormous and quite breathtaking. Watching NZ get beaten in the bledisloe cup at a traditional NZ pub was also quite amusing.

 • Accommodation rating: 4.5/5 - it's always a treat when you get upgraded!! especially when it's a self contained cottage with uninterrupted views of lake taupo. jean wrinkled herself in a spa bath (the last she would have in a long time paul threatened!).

 • Food: Very nice. its tough to beat freshly baked mussells and the best eye fillet this side of the tasman! well priced too given our pauper

budget

 • Misc: the locals are still unbelieveably nice! the barman knew our names prior to our arrival for dinner! paul assumed it was because jean was the only asian in the village.

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