Time to Skydive or not.....

Following the tranquility of Napier, it was off to the Real Adventure Capital of New Zealand - Taupo. Set on the largest lake of the North Island, Taupo is a growing city that has catered for adventure activities for a very long time. We were eagerly awaiting our arrival to Taupo to get a chance to maybe do a skydive and/or do the Tongariro National Park Crossing. However, when we arrived, we faced the coldest of coldest weathers, plenty of rain and galeforce winds. The day we arrived clearly wasn't going to allow us to do very much at all! To our disappointment, we also found out that the crossing would be closed for the next three days - guess what - thats how long we had. We couldnt believe our luck! We hoped that the weather would pick up but the strong high winds, meant that many skydive operators either were simply not flying or postponing their trips. As for the crossing, it was snowing in the mountains, and visability was zero. A no go for sure!

Financially, it wasnt so bad to take a break and not spend the cash, but it did mean that we wouldnt be able to do Taupo the way we wanted to. However, it did give us the opportunity to make full use of the happy hours on the internet cafes and it also gave us the chance to take the shuttle bus to Huka Falls. One of the biggest falls in New Zealand, that chucks through tonnes of water every second and has the capacity to supply 75% of the North Islands Power or 15% of New Zealands total power supply! Quite a waterfall I think you will agree! From Huka Falls we did a little bush walk up the hills and alongside the river; through a spooky pine forestry and the back farms of Taupo to the geo-thermal power station and back again . Again, another excellent afternoon out whilst it had stopped raining so we weren't complaining!

Time to Skydive or not.....

Taupo, New Zealand