Taupo and Tongariro National Park

Hi again,

Just a brief entry about Taupo. We arrived there in the afternoon in time to drop off the skydivers…we couldn’t afford it, but more than half of our bus did it. They said it was fantastic, so maybe after we save a bit, we’ll go back. The town is a base for all kinds of activities that we can’t afford, such as rafting, sledging, jet-boating, etc. The only thing we did is have our usual walk around the town, which was nice enough.

The lake was beautiful, and large enough to fit Singapore inside of it’s area. About 12,000 years ago Taupo erupted in what still is the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. The Chinese and Romans both noted a blackening of the sky. Therefore, the lake is actually an enormous crater, and just as in Rotorua, there is lots of geothermic activity.

This morning we caught the bus out to Tongariro, but the weather is too lousy to make the Crossing. Rory and I will come back in summer for another go, so in the meantime we are sitting by the fire on our laptops, looking for accommodation and jobs in Wellington. Could be worse!

Will write again when we get to Wellington.

Love, Amy