Copthorne Taupo

... again by the time I was on my way back! The falls themselves are pretty impressive and the water really turquoise. I was getting desperate to start work as the rain was depressing - I now know how the tourists feel in the lakes when they're wandering around with nothing to do... everything in Taupo is weather dependent so there are people hanging around everywhere waiting to go skydiving or do the Tongariro Crossing (famous walk). I met Taupo's ...

... br>

Perhaps for the best though...last thing we need right now is a plug into the net... 


One big plus on the flipside are the local sports...rugby, cricket, motogp, supercar/GT racing and soccer are on at any given time during the day.

... of the intact volcanoe cone of Ngauruhoe passing over the tongues of recent lava flows that have cleared the moss, tussock and heather from the surrounding slopes. Once you make it to the Ngauruhoe saddle you cross the flat grass tufted plain of the South Crater (actually a basin infilled). You then climb further up to the still active Red Crater, the highest point, from where you get fantastic ...

... go. The walk back was long but pleasant. I listened to my brand new ipod shuffle that Kristen got me for the trip. Highlights included Blues Traveler's "Run Around" on repeat, half of Santana's Supernatural, and, of course, Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues" and half of Blonde on Blonde. When Dylan came on as I walked down the side of the highway I wished I'd read "On The Road" rather than just loving the Keroauc kid... though I'm ...

hey guys went to Napier .. and visited me mate dad there... it was a great little quiet town.. and saw all the Art Deco there....... went to Bluff point which gave me a ocean view of Napier... and also to the cinema and watched Slumdog Millionaire... great movie.. !!! u should watch it... bt didnt take any pics!!!! Sorry!!! .. will try find some web links to ...

... the National Park and Mount Doom are amazing. I feel like I'm in the centre of the Lord of the Rings set!!! So this morning we get back on the bus and head to Wellington. YES! Where I will leave the bus for a few days, maybe a week and re-charge! Then decide what I'm gonna do next... Hopefull I will meet up with the cool dutch girl Sanhe who I met in Paihia too. We bonded over Green Tea :)) Angie Bee signing off xxxx

... heat to incubate their eggs so they don't have to bother. Having left the main area, we called briefly at the Mud Pools on the way back out, which was basically a lake of boiling mud like a giant spa mud bath (although this would probably cook you rather than relax you!) Here we bumped into the same couple from our stay at the lake the night before (who turned out to be Dutch and Belgian). Small world... Moving on, we pressed south, heading for Taupo and arrived at ...

... hahah. SO I figure I'm all set to go, payed my moola, I'm doing this! So i look out in front of me and jump! There is nothing more scary/exciting than the feeling when your feet leave the platform. You just hurl towards the water and wait for the snap back up. It was actually like a trampoline bounce upwards. That's the best description I think. Next time, I hope to take a plunge into the water!

At Tongariro (a central ski resort village) we took a gentle hike through the scrubland to an impressive waterfall which carved its way down the mountainside. The hike gave fantastic views of the open countryside - as it was 1200m above sea level so not obstructed by hills/mountains for once. Our drive took us north to Taupo. On the way we stopped a few times rto admire the views of the 3 huge snow covered volcanoes (3000m ...

... through a few drinks while waiting for the Hitman's most important fight, with the bar packed full of English guys.

I think Katie was one of only a couple of girls watching, but she did have a Manc allegiance to follow! Plus Ricky supports the same football team as her Mum.

Most of you ...