Monday 1 February

Leaving beautiful Napier we headed for Taupo. I didnt know what to expect of the North Island landscape. I have certainly been surprised how diverse it is. The uplifting and folding of the landscape over millennia has left behind some gorgeous views.

It was an easy drive so we bypassed the town and went straight to Orakei Korako another thermal area between Rotorua and Taupo. We are so glad we made the decision to visit as we believe it was a more interesting thermal area than Te Puia in Rotorua, which has a name because of the Pohatu geyser.

Such beautiful steam vents, landscape and mud pools all taken in by following a very well designed board walk. A ‘must see’ in my book. After a bite to eat in the cafe we headed back to Taupo in good time to check in to our next accommodation with a young family.

Mike, Mo and Poppy were a delightful family to stay with and Mo was so full of recommendations for things to see and do. We had told her we planned our full day in Taupo to visit Tongariro National Park and she gave us hints of places to look for while there, as well as some other things to do around town.

One of these things was to visit the lake shore for a hot water pedicure! So after dinner we headed for this little known spot on the edge of the lake where you can wiggle your feet into the volcanic sand and find hot spots. Not only did this feel lovely the wiggling of your feet gives them a pedicure at the same time. We came away with lovely soft skin on our feet!

A bonus was the sunset which was enhanced by the clouds.

This bridge crosses the Waikato River in Taupo. It is New Zealand's largest river rising high in the mountains and exiting at the ocean south west of Auckland