Surf or ski?

Taupo is the geographic bulls eye of the north island (and the rainbow trout capital of the universe). Taupo lake is the size of Singapore, 30 miles wide and 610ft deep. The lake has small beach like areas dotted around it's edges. In the shallows it was as clear and as colourful as the ocean. Here we found loads of pumice stones on the beach and floating in the lake. Had to look twice to figure out what it was but in the land of the pure all ok, no panic!! We collected a few, so tonight the old hoofs are going to get it!

At Haka Falls the Waikato river thunders through a narrow chasm. A footbridge goes over the thinnest bit so you get a birds eye view of the power and speed. Poo sticks definately wouldn't work here unless your poo sticks were the size of logs. No pun intended. This fast flowing river is New Zealand's longest river producing about 15% of NZs' power via 8 hydro electric stations.

On route to the west coast we tracked back through the Tongariro National Park which brought us to Ohakune.  Ohakune is a ski resort between June and September. We drove the 17 km up to the top passing signs advising for snow chains and lift passes. At the very top, being 1600m we walked around a very still and deserted ski centre just waiting to spring to life once the white stuff makes an appearance. The redundant chair and button lifts swaying in a chilly breeze, all felt very eerie. 3 lifts take you right to the summit a total height of 2797m. In jangles our toes definitely felt the difference in air temperature. Back down in the high street at a more pleasing 700m, a town made up of log cabins and ski shops it felt very strange as we walked round in only shorts and t-shirts. It even smelt like the Alps!

This was enough of a draw to quit the drive west and instead we booked into a campground just off the high st which receives plenty of snow in June which brings it's peak season. Funny a campsite that has it's peak season in the winter. Although the skiers aren't camping, the cabins looked the don, real cosy looking. Having missed the season last year this has definitely got our minds going!

During the night we heard what sounded like a air raid siren from the world wars! And this wasn't for the first time either in NZ. So enough was enough we had to find out more so we stopped and asked what seemed
a local in the morning to be told its the call siren for fire and rescue volunteers. The alarm sounds until the first volunteer arrives at the station and picks up the shout! Heavy sleepers need not apply!