The realm of the Elven King

We were all disturbed during the night by a massive thunderstorm so were expecting the worse but the next day was actually pretty fine. We loaded up and headed for a geothermal area called orakei korako. 

Orakei Korako, is a highly active geothermal area most notable for its series of fault-stepped sinter terraces, located in a valley north of Taupo on the banks of the Waikato River in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. 

We had to get a little boat across the river to get to it and then followed a wooden pathway all around. First we came to 'Diamond Geyser' which Chris thought sounded like an East End villain, which erupts every one to two hours but showed no signs of it while we were there. It was all very impressive with lots of steam and bubbling mud, and the odd very small geyser.

See how the sun shines! 

We then found a lovely little Cafe for lunch and moved on to the Huka falls. This was the location for the scene in the hobbit where the dwarves and Bilbo escape in barrels from the hall of the Elven king. 

Me and Vicky

At the top of the waterfall, what a lovely pose!

We then jumped back in the car and took one of the most beautiful car journeys I have been on along the shores of lake Taupo to Turangi, AND the Judges pool motel. I asked the owner for a recommendation for somewhere to eat. 'oh dear' she said 'nowhere will be open, it's good Friday'. Mmmm. It looked like we would have to eat Vicky. But no, an internet search showed that Burger King was open. Thank god. So off we went in search of a burger, only to find that Turangi is the takeaway capital of the world, all of which are open 365 days a year. Fish and chips was the majority decision and Vicky was saved.