Blogs from Taupo, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 11

Kayaking around the Taupo lake rock carvings. Kayaked right up to the large 10metre high Maori Rockface carvings. Very impressive. The carvings were created by sculptor Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell in the 70's on the area called Mine Bay. They are only accessible by boat or kayak. The large face represents the great Maori navigator Ngatoroirangi who was meant to have brought tribes to the Taupo region a thousand years ago. There are also some smaller carvings by Matahi and some local sculptor students on the rocks to the left of the main rock face carving. Many sculptures depicting a big lizard and many figures from Maori legends. Amongst then are also a few Celtic patterns showing a mermaid and the face of the southerly wind. Taupo very large lake 238 square miles. The lake is a caldera ... read more

Auf Nebenstraßen zu übernachten ist prinzipiell sehr gut, aber wenns die Zufahrtsstraße zu einem Fabriksgelände ist, gibt’s bessere Möglichkeiten. Weil nämlich die LKWs in der Früh vorbeifahren. Und manche ganz nett laut hupen. Taupo ist ein aufgewecktes Örtchen mit einigen netten Cafés und liegt wie schon gesagt am Lake Taupo. Das ist der größte See Neuseelands, durch die Explosion eines Supervulkans entstanden. Und die Cafés sind sehr relaxt und haben gute Pancakes, muss ich sagen Und eine Laundry, also eine Wäscherei ums Eck hab ich auch gefunden und meine Wäsche gewaschen und getrocknet und zusammengelegt. Sehr brav halt Sonst hat sich in Taupo bei uns nicht viel getan, wir haben es ruhig angehen lassen und keine der vielen Möglichkeiten von Fallschirmspringen bis hin zu Fischen oder Kajak fahren gemacht. Kostet ja immerhin auch ganz schön. Am ... read more

After leaving a very wet East Cape we headed in land to try and escape the rain. We made a quick stop in Whakatane, though not for long as it was still raining. We then cut through the hills towards Taupo. In order to spend a day around the lake we stopped overnight before we got to Lake Taupo at Awakeri Hot Springs. It was quite a small campsite but it had hot spring swimming pools that were partly under cover. So when the rain eased enough we headed over to them. They were absolutely delightful and even when it started raining again it didn’t really matter because the water was so warm the rain actually had a cooling effect!! The only problem with the campsite was that all the hot water was a direct feed ... read more

Had a great stay at Tapou. Good food again, and went for a tug boat ride to see Mauri carvings on rocks. Poured on way back. Had a wonderful stay at bed and Breakfast overlooking the large lake from the top of the hill.... read more

Taupo is the place where everyone seems to do their skydive as it's the cheapest place and you have great views of lake Taupo. Fortunately for my bank balance I chickened out, the heights thing was just to much for me. Instead I walked around and took in the views, then went to the bar. I was gonig to stay here for a few days to chill, but due to making a few friends, decided to go along with them as they have less time and it's good share the experience with others. We have about a group of 10, but soon people will need to go their seperate ways. I would still reccomend anyone to go there as it's a very beautiful place.... read more