Sunset Lodge Backpackers Taupo

... too so we didnt refuse!! I was first to go so i was sitting tied onto my diver right next to the hatch door-Shar was 2nd and niamh was 3rd to dive.<br>15,000ft came and my camera guy climbed over me and opened the door-the force was incredible-he hoped out onto the ledge to film me jumping and also get himself ready to dive with us. Before i knew it i was sitting legs over the plane about to dive and before i knew it i was gone-it was incredible-it goes so fast and its so hard ...

... did in the tiny town of Waitomo was well worth the wait. Waitomo is a nothing town. There's a rugby pitch, a bar, a hostel, a couple b &amp; b's and not much else. It's pretty run of the mill... but not much else... except... CAVES. We did the Black Abyss tour... it was amazing! Check out the Black Abyss tour website here: http://www.waitomo.com/caving-adventure .aspx. So we all got into this ridiculous full wetsuit gear. Oh ...

... really do them justice. When the boat got back into harbour I decided to walk back along the lake shore &amp; the sun started setting &amp; was so beautiful that I kept stopping to take pictures. Sorry if they're a bit boring but it was a breathtaking sight. Mount Ruapehu in the background doesn't really come out on the pics because of the cloud in front ...

... brought you back to one with nature. The stars shone more brightly than I have ever seen them shine......well it was 4am as we both darted OUTSIDE to go to the loo!! Finally on the morning we were due to leave, Heather and I played out 18 holes at the lodges mini-golf course and with a few expert pointers I managed to hit the ball....more than once!! Well I best leave it there and let you get on with the piccys. Kia Ora everyone J &amp; H xx

... being driven away from the east face by the wind, and although they were replaced from the west it was by white fluffy clouds. I turned up the road to the mountain, arriving eventually at an enormous gravel car park - enough for several thousand skiers, but totally empty. I took a few pictures, but it was obviously too windy, snowy and late to go far up the mountain. Then to New ...

27/08/08 Lake Taupo is the largest in New Zealand and was formed by one of the largest ever volcanic eruptions. The views were amazing when we woke up and had a strole round the Lake and played some frisbee. After the walk we headed to the Geothermal powerstation, this is the second in the world and produces 5% of New Zealands energy. After this we decided to indulge in some hot springs but at Taupo's ...

... down a scree slope, but it was well worth it for the views of the blue and emerald lakes of clear but sulphurous water and the<br>mountains all around. Although it clouded over a little (and got very cold) we retained our double-six throw with the weather and saw some amazing volcanic colours.The last half of the walk goes through high tussocks, past a welcome hut (with much needed facilities) and then a seemingly endless descent through forest. Having started in bleak volcanic wasteland ...