Saturday, 31/07/10
Woke up around 7:30am to get myself ready and pack for a long day ahead of us to Taupo. From Waikato, Hamilton to Taupo, it is a 2 hour drive. For $60NZD, here is what it included:
Aratiatia Rapids
Honey Hive
Huka Falls
Taupo Lookout
Lakeside Drive
Lake Hot Springs
Souvenir Shopping
Bungy Jump Viewing
So we first went to Ar
atiatia Rapids. Its was so freezing cold! After like 10 secs, your hands get cold fast. Don't know the whole story, but our tour guy who owns the company, was telling us about how the government wanted to build like a water gate. So the Māori iwi that owned that area agreed. In part of the agreement, the gate is supposed to release water 3 times a day: 10am, 12pm and 2pm. There is also a siren incase there is people down there fishing or something. There is also a timer when the flood gates open. The water was so clear, you can see the bottom. At first the water was very calm. When the gates opened, water just rushed out of the gate and all of a sudden you see a raging river. The calm water becomes rough and it starts to rise and cover the rocks.
Next we went to The Honey Hive! Live bees, making honey! Real honey! They have all kinds of products that has honey inside, things like wine, alcohol, lotions, oils, and honey for foods. Off to Huka Falls. It was raging too! There was this HukaFalls Jet boat with a bunch of people inside going for a ride. Pretty fast! It must of been pretty nutz and cold down there close by the fall. Then we went to Lake Taupo. It was pretty awesome! Sat down in this nice thermal pool at the beach.
After this, went to grab lunch and walk around the town for 2 hours. Pizza Hut was pretty busy so we decided to walk around. Then it was off to Taupo Cliff Hanger & Bungy! My friend Pi (pronounced Pie), went to bungy jump from 47 meters! Depends, people do get wet at least half of their body! The water is pretty cold! It costs about $120NZD and that doesn't include pictures or the DVD! Came back to Uni around 6pm and headed off to get dinner. What a day!
For pictures of my Taupo day click on the link:
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteEspecially the river gorges & hot springs.
How about a good thesis project requiring an extension of your stay there?
ReplyDeleteHow does one create deep fresh water wells within the Hawaii Island to result in hot water springs/onsens and valleys of running water? I think, it has to do with the ocean water seeping into inactive or semi active crater tubes to heat up. The salt water freshens from filtration. How does all that get said in Maori?