Taupo
In the heart of the north island is Lake Taupo, the largest
lake in New Zealand. Some of the best fishing in the world is found in the
lake and in its many tributaries. This is a tourist center of the first order
where one can buy most any New Zealand souvenir or product. Nearby is Huka
Falls, Craters of the Moon (a thermal area), a prawn farm, and many seasonal
homes and golf courses.
Not being golfers or fishing folks, we hiked along the
Huka Falls trail and through the thermal area, and then made a bee-line to
our real reason for coming to this area: Tongariro
National Park, one of three World Heritage Sites in New Zealand, along
with Te Wahipounamu - South West
New Zealand and New Zealand
Sub-Antarctic Islands. The Tongariro Crossing is considered the finest
one-day hike in the country and we hoped to complete it. The weather would
make all the difference.
Before we left, we traded our campervan with the leaky
water tank or water pump for a third campervan that seemed to be just fine.
Or so we thought.
