Adventures in Taupo
Trip Start
Aug 13, 2007
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41
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Trip End
Dec 31, 2008
Taupo,
New Zealand
Saturday, December 29, 2007
We started off with the two wire bridge. Climbing the pole wasn't too bad until you get two thirds of the way up and then you can only see sky. At this point, looking down is not a clever idea. The hardest thing with the activities is getting from the pole onto the activity and then taking the first couple of steps
Two Wire Bridge
. The two wire bridge is ok, but remember to lean forward.After the two wire bridge, we did the High Log, followed by the three wire bridge, then the rickety bridge. We also tried the multi vine. I only got part way across but this was due to my hands cramping up. Graham managed to get all the way across though.
Last two activities we had to do were the trapeze and the giant swing. The trapeze is scary because the pole is isolated and shakes quite a lot as you climb up there. The hardest part by far is standing up on the pole ready to jump. Once you're standing, the jumping part is actually fairly easy. The trapeze is not as far as it looks and we both managed to catch it first time. Good thing too as I'm not sure I would have climbed up again for a 2nd go. Last activity of the course was the giant swing. This was just fun! After doing all the other activities, I had no fear about jumping off a metal platform. It was actually only scary standing on the metal platform because it sways a lot.
After such an exhilarating morning, we popped next door to the Honey Hive to watch the bees in their hives, before heading along to Huka Falls. We've been here before and this time it was really busy, but the falls are impressive just for the sheer sound and power. The full flow of the Waikato River is funnelled into a narrow chasm that then plunges over a 10 metre shelf. Not very high but very forceful.
Another lazy afternoon spent before we headed down to the boats, to take a lake cruise to see the Maori rock carvings
High Log
. These are only accessible by boat. There are a few cruises to choose from but we went on the Barbary as it had been recommended by a friend. You can also kayak there if you so wish.The Barbary is a yacht so we tried to do a bit of sailing. Unfortunately there wasn't too much wind so we only managed a little bit. Luckily it also has a motor, so we journeyed up to the rock carvings, and stopped for a swim break. Only a couple of people actually went into the water. We didn't as we didn't know about it, but also it was late afternoon by this time (we were on the 5pm cruise). If we'd gone on the 2pm cruise, swimming would definitely have been a good idea.
