We woke to the sound of rain on the van roof, and we were in and out of rain showers all day. Today's goal is Lake Taupo, a lake 20% larger in area than Lake Tahoe (but not as deep), and like Tahoe a vacation destination (but no casinos).
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On the way we passed through Tirau. This is a little town that was on the way to being a ghost town in the 1980s, but revived itself in part by crafting a lot of crazy sculpture using scrap corrugated iron. Made 'em a tourist stop.
The Big Dog (town visitor center) and the Good Shepherd.
The Big Sheep (woolen store and cafe).
Who could resist buying a "cup and a cake" here?
The Big Bug
The Flower.
All along we have been oohing and ahhing at the giant rhododendrons. They really get big in these parts. This town had an example that was convenient to snap. (Then run for the car; note the color of the sky behind.)
Taupo is an active volcanic region. As you approach you see (through a rainy windshield) the steam from a big geothermal power generating plant.
Suddenly, between 2 and 3pm, a cold crisp breeze came up and blew the sky clear. We went for a walk along the lake shore.
This gent was running a Hole In One contest. You paid something for a dish of balls and if you could make a hole-in-one to that offshore float, you could win $10,000.
While we watched, this guy bounced about three off the "green" float.
In Palo Alto all the storm drains have a stencilled message, "No Dumping, Flows to Bay." In Taupo they have these more artistic messages.
Lake Taupo is basically a wide spot in the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest, which flows into it and then out again. Here is the outlet.
It really is that blue, no photo-shoppery here.
This was evening, hence the dim image. We made plans to come back to this point in the morning tomorrow when there would be some light. Hah.
2 comments:
Tirau seems like a foto-fun place—and so many in one place. Does the river have glacial milk in it? You wore me out with your "frenzied internetting".
Enjoy,
Bill & Jean.
The interpretive sign says the river is blue because it is very pure water with bubbles in it, reflecting the sky.
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