Out on the Lake

Sunday, April 5th, 2009

We woke up running late for the lake cruise we planned to take, so Mark went down the block to bring some McDonald's takeaway back to the motel room so we could eat while we got ready. The Mickey-D's food here is essentially the same, but not quite. For instance, Mark's Double-bacon McMuffin had some sort of tangy sauce on it that probably would have tasted better on a burger. And of course, the bacon was more like ham - Kiwis we've met detest American-style crisp bacon, claiming it tastes burnt. They also charge for condiments here. Although McDonald's doesn't charge for ketchup ("tomato sauce"), most places do. And to get syrup with Ro's Hotcakes Happy Meal? A dollar.

We got to the Taupo marina and booked ourselves on the 10:30am outing of the steamboat Ernest Kemp. We waited by the boat, feeding the ducks; 10:30 came and went and there was no sign of the skipper or any other passengers. Mark checked at the marina office, and sure enough, we'd forgotten that daylight savings time ended this weekend. For those on the east coast of the US, that means we used to be 6 hours behind and a day ahead - now we're 8 hours behind and a day ahead, because you guys sprang forward while we fell back.

Ro petting the ducks at the Taupo marina

With time to kill, we started to head for the park Ro played at yesterday (everywhere we'd been in Taupo so far was within a few blocks), but on the way we finally found a way down to the beach at the Taupo Yacht Club. Most of the shore we'd been at so far was up on a cliff above the water, and the lake was roped off. Ro loved playing on the black sand beach, and instead of collecting shells he collected volcanic rocks. Sherry even found a nice pumice stone to use on her feet! Ro also liked collecting "gems" - actually smoothed down bits of long-since-broken beer bottles...lol.

Judging from their recycling bins, the guys at the yacht club have a pretty good time

Ro digging for treasure on the shore of Lake Taupo

The cruise on the Ernest Kemp was fun, although Ro and Sherry got a bit chilly in the cool morning air. There weren't many other passengers, since it's getting into the off-season. There was a dad with his 5 year-old son (who Ro played with the entire time), a young couple, and us. Our skipper Erol was a friendly older guy who would give us commentary on the various inlets we'd pass on the way. The ostensible destination of the trip was the Maori rock carvings, which are only accessible by boat. They're located on a cliff at the water's edge, and up the hill from them are some very beautiful houses, including one that was originally built for Rod Stewart and then-wife Rachel Hunter (a Kiwi). On the return trip, we spotted skydivers landing on the shore, several parasailers, water skiers, plenty of trout fishermen, and Ro's favorite - a seaplane passing just over us and landing on the crystal-clear lake. The cruise took two hours and only covered the bay on the northeast end of the lake - this is one big lake!

See link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Taupo

Ro on Lake Taupo with Mount Tauhara in background

The Hills at the Maori rock carvings

Ro and friend Shane putting on a show

Ro clowning around on the deck of the Ernest Kemp

Much like The Strand in Tauranga, or Marine Parade in Mount Maunganui, the shoreline in Taupo is a public park lined by a road (Lake Terrace in this case), and across the road is a bunch of restaurants and shops. We were all starving when we got off the boat, and as luck would have it, there was a BurgerFuel. We sat outside to enjoy the warm sun and the view of the lake - a much nicer venue than the strip mall the Tauranga BurgerFuel sits in.

Mark & Ro at Lake Taupo

Sailboat on Lake Taupo with Mounts Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe in background

After lunch, we took Ro back to the park to burn off some steam since he'd been cooped up on the boat. While Sherry did a little shopping across the street, Mark took Ro on the Lions Club-sponsored train that goes around the park, then watched him play on the playground. Although we would have loved to head south to Tongariro National Park to get a closer look at the volcanoes, there just wasn't enough time, so we decided to stop in Rotorua on our way home.

Ro & Mark goofing around on the Lions Club train

There's a landmark English Tudor style building in Rotorua that's now used as the Rotorua Museum of Art & History. Recently, it gained a different sort of notoriety when it was reported by the Rotorua Dept of Tourism that Hugh Hefner was going to turn it into another Playboy Mansion based on scientific reports that the hydrogen sulfide gas in the air in town was beneficial for male sexual arousal. Of course, the press release came out on April 1, so you be the judge. We stopped by the rumored Playboy Mansion Southeast, but Ro had just woken up from a nap, and was in no mood for hoofing it through a museum. Mark went inside to check out the gift shop, picking up a book detailing all the LOTR locations in NZ for future reference. Meanwhile, Ro played in a fountain across the street while Sherry relaxed on a bench in the sun.

Ro playing in front of the Rotorua Museum

We soon adjourned to the Luge for a few runs before we headed back home. We got annual passes for the gondola the last time we were there, so we could get up the mountain for free and only had to buy (discounted) luge tickets. In fact, we got a few extra rides for free - some guy handed Mark his extra tickets as he was leaving. On the skilift between runs, Ro was spotting rabbits in the bushes 30 feet below...near dusk, mind you. He would make a great bird of prey! Ro started driving the luge himself, even though Mark still had to ride with him, and would keep him from going off the track or entering a curve too fast. Ro likes speed and drives accordingly!

I feel the need. The need for speed!

Ro & Mark approaching the top of the skilift. Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island in background