On Thursday we got up and flew back to Auckland on the North Island. From there we rented a car and drove to Lake Taupo, about 4 hours from Auckland. It was obvious on our drive that New Zealand was a huge agricultural country. Everywhere we looked we saw cattle and sheep farms. I even saw a deer farm! This island is also full of volcanic and thermal activity. Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption. It is also one of the largest ski areas in the winter. The mountainous terrain is beautiful and the sky is so blue we were calling it the "cartoon sky". It just didn't look real.
We got into Lake Taupo late afternoon and got settled into our hotel. We stayed at the Lake Taupo Hilton Resort and it didn't disappoint. Since Joe is a regular at Hilton Hotels we were upgraded to a suite. It turned out to be an apartment, complete with living, kitchen, one bedroom, washer/dryer and an amazing view of the lake from the balony. After we got settled we went into the town area to find a restaurant where we could sit outside and watch the sun set. It was Easter weekend and needless to say this lake town was full of holiday vacationers enjoying their last weekend before fall set in. It felt like we were at one of the lakes back home.
We ate at a restaurant that served your meat on your own little hot lava stone grill and the meat continued to cook right on your plate. Quite an experience and very good. The evening was very relaxing and the sunset beautiful.
The next morning we went down to the marina and chartered a boat for a couple of hours on the lake. Joe was anxious to get some more fishing in and I was very content to go along for the ride and enjoy the dry comfort of the boat and NO hiking. It was a beautiful day and the scenery around the lake is beautiful. There are some amazing homes overlooking the lake. Joe again got lucky and caught our dinner for the evening. This time it was a beautiful rainbow trout. We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and had a wonderful dinner at the hotel - our fish cooked by the hotel chef.
On Saturday we got up and began our drive back to Auckland. We took a more scenic route and drove through some of the thermal areas and bubbling mud pits. We drove through the town Rotorua and did a little shopping. By late afternoon we were back in Auckland and checked back into the Hilton Hotel on the wharf. After an amazing Italian dinner by the water we spent the rest of the evening at the casino. It had been and exhausting but memorable week.
The area where our hotel was located was also the Port Authority for the cruise lines. There happened to be a cruise in port and it was docked outside our hotel window. They were loading on Saturday night for an early Sunday departure. We heard party music and the rumbling of the ship most of the night!
I have to say New Zealand was a wonderful trip. Although we are not much on exploring and hiking, we thoroughly enjoyed taking in all the scenery of this beautiful country. The people are very inviting and friendly, the food and wine is amazing, the weather cooperated. It felt the closest to being home I've felt since living abroad. I loved every minute of this trip with my very best friend! Even the most intense (and wet) moments. We had some new adventures and made more memories for our lifetime.
I continue to feel blessed to be able to experience this wonderful little detour with Joe and can't wait for our next adventure!
Love to all!
We got into Lake Taupo late afternoon and got settled into our hotel. We stayed at the Lake Taupo Hilton Resort and it didn't disappoint. Since Joe is a regular at Hilton Hotels we were upgraded to a suite. It turned out to be an apartment, complete with living, kitchen, one bedroom, washer/dryer and an amazing view of the lake from the balony. After we got settled we went into the town area to find a restaurant where we could sit outside and watch the sun set. It was Easter weekend and needless to say this lake town was full of holiday vacationers enjoying their last weekend before fall set in. It felt like we were at one of the lakes back home.
We ate at a restaurant that served your meat on your own little hot lava stone grill and the meat continued to cook right on your plate. Quite an experience and very good. The evening was very relaxing and the sunset beautiful.
The next morning we went down to the marina and chartered a boat for a couple of hours on the lake. Joe was anxious to get some more fishing in and I was very content to go along for the ride and enjoy the dry comfort of the boat and NO hiking. It was a beautiful day and the scenery around the lake is beautiful. There are some amazing homes overlooking the lake. Joe again got lucky and caught our dinner for the evening. This time it was a beautiful rainbow trout. We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and had a wonderful dinner at the hotel - our fish cooked by the hotel chef.
On Saturday we got up and began our drive back to Auckland. We took a more scenic route and drove through some of the thermal areas and bubbling mud pits. We drove through the town Rotorua and did a little shopping. By late afternoon we were back in Auckland and checked back into the Hilton Hotel on the wharf. After an amazing Italian dinner by the water we spent the rest of the evening at the casino. It had been and exhausting but memorable week.
The area where our hotel was located was also the Port Authority for the cruise lines. There happened to be a cruise in port and it was docked outside our hotel window. They were loading on Saturday night for an early Sunday departure. We heard party music and the rumbling of the ship most of the night!
I have to say New Zealand was a wonderful trip. Although we are not much on exploring and hiking, we thoroughly enjoyed taking in all the scenery of this beautiful country. The people are very inviting and friendly, the food and wine is amazing, the weather cooperated. It felt the closest to being home I've felt since living abroad. I loved every minute of this trip with my very best friend! Even the most intense (and wet) moments. We had some new adventures and made more memories for our lifetime.
I continue to feel blessed to be able to experience this wonderful little detour with Joe and can't wait for our next adventure!
Love to all!
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