Today we walked from our campsite to Taupo and had a good look round., It is a very pretty town right on the edge of the lake. We found the tourist info and got booked on a lake trip to see Maori carvings in the banks of the lake. We took the Ernest Kemp, pictured above. It is a paddle steamer and chugs along. What we didn't expect what cam e next! In the calm waters of the harbour we chugged along and then we hit the lake. It is a massive place,the size of the Greater London area without the population. We seemed to be tossed about all over the place. The lake is the creator of a volcano which erupted in 186ad and the eruption was seen from China and from Rome. Lets hope it doesn't go again! We had crossing swells which means that as one roll finishes another starts. Needless to say I was not a happy bunny...We managed to see the carvings but unfortunately the boat had to turn that time across all the waves and all I did was hang on..David took the pictures. Once on the way back we went into bays and it got a lot calmer. Not a trip for the faint-hearted!! The area has two active volcanos although they havn't erupted for about 150 years. That is the picture no. 4. Tomorrow we are undecided what to do as we wanted to do the Forgotton Highway, but it would mean a drive of 260km, so just a place too far, maybe next time. There are plenty of walks to do around the lake and on Friday before we leave we are going to Huka Falls on a river trip(not so rough I hope..) I have just read about your weather, sorry, we are still in the warm sunshine, so I won't rub it in..
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