We set off on Tuesday morning, on what could be a five hour journey, but with so many distractions on the way, it took us all day.
Robert was attending a funeral in Palmerston North and catching up with all his cousins. I had only passed through the town once before, and I am not one to miss an opportunity to explore.
We were side tracked at various points en route, visiting places I didn’t even know existed.
First stop was Kerosine Creek, left off the highway between Rotorua and Taupo, along a gravel road with huge pot holes, but well worth the bumpy ride. Beside the road, and below Rainbow Mountain, is a steaming green lake, and the mountain itself is steaming. A few kilometres on, the creek too is hot and steamy and has several good swimming holes. I found a Maori maiden, sunning herself beside the creek after her bathe, who was happy to be in my photos. An idyllic spot surrounded by native bush, it must seem amazing to all the young travellers who manage to find their way there. No charge to park you car and no one collecting entry fees!
The bright yellow splashes of the broom, in flower in spring and early summer, against the vivid greens of the courntyside makes a spectacular show.
Along the Waiotapu loop road is another free spectacle, boiling mud pools. And as soon as you open the car door you know you are there. The rotten egg smell hits. The spouting mud is mesmerizing but hard to capture in still photos. It takes patience and luck. Movies are better. There are walkways to viewing points. It would not be a good idea to stray off the path!
We bypassed Taupo and stopped beside the lake for our picnic lunch. Despite the heavy skies, it was still very beautiful, with colourful lupins and digitalis lining the lake. Clean sandy beaches, clear turquoise water and no tides! As it is the result of a huge volcanic eruption, it doesn’t pay to think about volcanic activity. We collected a bag of pumice from the beach, which is good for the bottom of pot plants.
The weather all day was incredibly changeable, driving through torrential rain one minute and brilliant sunshine the next. It was very overcast when we arrived on the Desert Road and much colder. It is a brooding and fascinating place at any time. We stopped among the hillocks of tussock, directly in front of Mount Ruapehu, but could only catch a tantalizing glimpse of patches of snow on the southern lower slope. The other mountains were completely hidden.
On to Mangaweka, where we were treated to a slap up afternoon tea, with my friend Irene. She lives in the old courthouse, complete with jail, on Broadway, with Murphy the dog. After a tour of her delightful cottage garden, we sat down to tea, surrounded by her art forgeries and antiques. This historic and tiny town has made a name for itself with the art festival, Fakes and Forgeries, helped along by Irene’s boundless energy and enthusiasm.
We finally reached our destination just before six, in time for dinner. That’s what I call a Tiki Tour. What a beautiful drive and I just had to sit there and enjoy the view.
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