Day Forty Six Napier to Lake Taupo

Sitting blogging watching the sun setting on Lake Taupo. Apartment says 'garden view' but from the balcon you can see the lake! Absolutely idyllic! (Have I used that word before?)

Had breakfast in Napier. Nearly got run over by the tourist train while eating it!

Journey to Lake Taupo was estimated to take about two hours. Had a stop off for wine tasting!  11.30 and tasted Pinot Grigio, Syrah and Merlot Cabernet. Bought 3 bottles of reds!  Howie driving thankfully as wine at breakfast time doesn't really agree with me. Drove on with only one stop to look at a waterfall 

Arrived at Lake Taupo about 2pm!  Happy Maggie! Nice apartment, nice town and the sun was shining!  Decided to explore the area as there is an Ironman on tomorrow and we're not sure what roads will be closed. 

Went to see The Craters of the Moon.  Steam, bubbling mud and smell of minging eggs. 

Walked around the site - took about an hour - while the resident geologist (Howie) kept going on about imminent explosions. He's desperate for a volcano to erupt while we're here. 

Very hot and sweaty, we continued up the road to a hot springs spa. Paid our dollars and entered the natural hot springs, rich in silicone. 

Four different levels of frikkin hot!! Stayed for about two hours. Didn't shower after cos it said to wait 4-8 hours for maximum benefits to the body!  Four hours later - my hair is like a haystack, arms like plastic and Howie not moving in case he cracks!

Dinner chez nous - salad again. Bodies need a rest from eating out. It's as dear/cheap to eat in as it is to eat out!  So, back to where I came in.  Did I mention the sun setting over Lake Taupo? 

Happy daze!!! 

Night night, family and friends. X