Lake Taupo

The ancient remains of a huge crater, now filled with water! Lake Taupo and the surrounding area remains volcanically active to this day, a fact which the locals have exploited with more or less success. It is vaguely ironic that a booming economy such as this should lie atop explosive geological features. Further North in Rotorua a thriving tourist scene surrounds the hot geysers and mud pools which form the fundamental novelty attraction of the area. The city of Rotorua itself reeks of sulphur, but you get used to it after a while. Here in Taupo, a more domestic tourist centre, New Zealanders flock to enjoy watersports in the summer and skiing in the winter. The fact that the local swimming pools remain at bath-water temperature all year round (via a heat exchange with hot springs) is a major bonus to the already beautiful surroundings. South of the lake at Tokaanu a private spa and public bath exploit the thermal vents and prehistoric-looking mud pools which bubble and plop in the bush. It is all quite dramatic and invigorating.

Our tramp in the bush took place at the foothills of Tongariro National Park, a world heritage site that was gifted to the New Zealand authorities by wise Maori Tribal leaders who have prevented the land becoming sheep farm. Rotopounamu means Lake Greenstone; although there is no actual greenstone present, when calm the water reflects the colour of the surrounding bush. The walk was easy and the scenery beautiful, the area lent itself perfectly to a rudimentary botany lesson from Ellen's father. I can now identify several species of fern and native trees.