Taupo

Taupo is on the northern shores of the NZ's largest lake, with the snow-capped mountains in the distance.  However it is not the lakes or the mountains that grab your attention... it's the hooligans jumping off ledges in to gorges!

Bungy mad! 

After watching half a dozen people jump off, I realised that it didn't look high enough so I wouldn't bother ;-)

Since arriving in Taupo we have had the first glimpse of Autumn/Winter...it is cold, windy and wet.  I guess we have been lucky since arriving 16 days ago that this is the first bit of bad weather we have endured so we mustn't grumble. It has also given us the opportunity to explore the maps as we're off to Tongariro National Park over the next couple of days to do the Tongariro Crossing.  It will be the first time I've worn crampons and gone out hiking with an ice axe in May!

Autumn Colours in Taupo 

This afternoon we're getting our backs packed for our "tramping" trip (that's what hiking is called over here!) before spending the night at Whakapapa tonight (26/5)