Wandering Along
Trip Start
Aug 01, 2008
1
95
150
Trip End
Dec 20, 2008
Taupo,
North Island,
New Zealand
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Taupo S 38° 40.5' E 176° 05.8'
It was raining and windy when I woke, so I took my time getting up; the mountain was completely invisible in the clouds.
I first visited the historical site at Turuturu Mokai. There are reputedly three pa's and a battlefield site there. The site, however, is in a pretty deplorable state. I visited one pa and the monument about the battle. However, although there was much evidence of it having been a "grand" site, with roads and signs and gateways, it was now all overgrown, dilapidated and full of rubbish. There was also a lot of wet grass involved
The Pa
. As I drove north through Eltham, only the very lowest slopes of Mt Taranaki were visible below the clouds, but by Stratford it was looking more hopeful - grey clouds were 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 Plymouth, where I disposed of my holed and soaking trainers, and to Onaero Beach for a lunch stop. After that, an indirect but once more scenic route to Taupo, intending to visit another thermal site tomorrow. I now have the dilemma about calling on Mike and Brenda, but it's already relatively late and I doubt that they're fretting about missing my company. Perhaps tomorrow, as they say.
