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Published: September 29th 2009
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Hot Springs
Waimangu Volcanic Valley Mon 28th September 2009
Disastrous start to the day since we slept in following a mix up with not putting the clock forward on our alarm clock and we missed saying bye to Aunt Yvonne before she headed off to work - Sorry again Aunt Yvonne! Not really much to see on our drive south, so much rain - we were struggling to see Auckland city from the harbour bridge, but we continue in valiant hope that it will brighten up as the day goes.
Our route was primarily via Hamilton, Cambridge, Rotorua, Lake Taupo then Napier - all today. First stop a small town called Cambridge, literally hopped out of the car walked up and down the small high street and grabbed a bit of lunch at a small café there. Still chucking it down, so just left the café and continued on our way - running a touch late. The roads this far were dual carriage way bar a few small sections so thought nothing of driving in New Zealand.
Next stop was meant to be Rotorua, or Rotorvegas as Uncle Don called it, but given the weather and time constraints we bypassed this stop and
Inferno Crater
Waimangu Volcanic Valley headed for Waimangu Volcanic Valley some 15km south of Rotorua. G was beginning to moan about the roads in New Zealand. We took what was apparently a road marked with an A after the number. Here we encountered a lot of t-junctions, roundabouts and cross roads…. Slowing up progress even more (remember it still chucking it down too!)
Waimangu Volcanic Valley was quiet given the weather. Also, it stung G for another $64 bucks - moan moan moan… However, it turned out that this was an amazing site. We took an hour to walk through down the valley (in the rain, which was a little lighter than it had been) weaving in and out and around the hot springs, craters of amazing blue colours all steaming and making the landscape around us very eery around us, incredible experience and we were ready for some heat! Like something out of both Lord of the Rings & Star wars with the bubbling swamps.
Leaving here, we were heading to Taupo - stopping at both the falls and the lake. First en-route, the Huka Falls. At this point, the rain was absolutely ‘stoating’ against the windae. Within 2 minutes of being
Us... wet!
Waimangu Volcanic Valley outside of the car - and under 1 umbrella - we were soaked. The falls we’re cool, with today’s rain - very exciting. G wanted to white water raft down them, however I refuse as it looks way to scary. Leaving here, we headed to Lake Taupo. When booking the holiday, we had hoped to stay here and until a few days ago, G had visions of water skiing in the evening spring sunshine. However, we could barely see the lake from 20 yards away. The whole place - very holiday resort in nature from what we could tell - looked a horrible place to stay in this weather however - so perhaps our journey onto Napier was for a reason….?
The sign at Taupo said Napier, 150km, G said, we’d be there in about 1.5 hours. However. … when we started on the road, it was windy, then it got very windy and then it got ridiculously windy, then it just got stupid. All this for a journey to Napier where we would be staying for just the one night - was Hawkes bay worth it??? The rain still came, the dusk was settling in, and the fuel
less than half. Not a sole, fuel station or car in sight - I was getting scared! The rain did not subside not even for one second, but we are still remaining hopeful that when we reach Napier the sun will be shining! Surely the rain has to stop sometime! The last 100k was very very long after all today’s driving. However, we made it and to be honest, about 30k outside Hawkes Bay, the rain eased and clouds lifted a little leaving nearly a lovely evening!
Napier looked rubbish on a wet dark Monday night. We found the hotel quite quick, and checked in. Slightly concerned when they say… “We are currently renovating, as such the heating and cooling may not work properly…” Stop! Don’t tell us any more. The hotel and room - the Scenic Circle Te Pania was fine and reasonably priced. Dinner - I fancied, hotel - however G with all his travelling almost flat refuses to eat in hotel restaurants - we therefore head out in the car undecided. We get fuel, and in the forecourt flick through the Hawkes Bay eating guide picked up free somewhere en-route. Amongst 100 pages or so of
Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo - somewhere in the rain... adverts, 1 stands out - the old church given a 2008 award for eating. Without a map other than the one in this book, we attempt to find. Sure enough, it’s signed from the main road about 1k south. We eventually find the place after nearly turning back about 3 times - it feels about 5k out of Napier!
The place however is striking - a beautiful white church with illuminated grounds including ageing trees, vines and water features. We walk in - nobody there - oh dear! Well the manager greets us to say that they have just started opening on Monday after winter - lucky? Hopefully. We sit, and look at the menu - looks good. The place is furnished wonderfully, rich fabrics, chique tables, well lit - the service attentive too. We tuck into some lovely food - G a fillet with roasted veg in a rich sauce, me a rack of NZ lamb… mine won! Perfect result, great place and great food - go here if your in Napier!
Headed back to hotel, crashed out….tomorrow, a drive to Wellington!
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