Lake Taupo

After yesterday the noise from the campsite (probably from the alternator) disturbed my peace a bit, I'm going back to Napier after breakfast to visit the local Mercedes dealer. But on Saturdays, there's only one seller there who doesn't give me much hope that they can help me on Monday. Once again, I think of Martin's wise words, to only buy a car abroad that is most common and can be repaired by any village blacksmith. In that sense, my V-Class is more like the Blue Mauritius in NZ, the model was never sold here, my example came as a gray import from Japan to the country. Martin, I promise to do better with the next car. What do people drive in Canada? :-)

First, I'll do some shopping and refuel, then I'll take a stroll through Napier for an hour... The town was almost completely destroyed in an earthquake in 1931, then it was rebuilt in the Art Deco style of the time. There are some vintage cars driving around, the houses are really well preserved. The central park with palm trees and many flowers is also very beautiful, on Saturdays there's a small farmers market, so a very relaxing atmosphere.

I will change my planned route here and not continue along the east coast, but head directly to Auckland for repairs. It would be a bit silly to get stuck on some gravel road in the middle of nowhere with a broken alternator. So the SH 5 will take me away from the sea in the northwest direction. The landscape has been hilly so far, but now it's mountainous, curve after curve, all in the middle of the forest. I think today I traveled 100 km through forests only.

Finally, I arrive in Taupo and stop for a short hike to the Tuka waterfalls. Yes, they are bigger in Brazil, but I found the kayaker who paddled through them really brave. At Lake Taupo, which is by the way a bit bigger than Lake Geneva, I drive along the southern shore for another 40 km until I find a nice spot to spend the night. Tomorrow I will continue to Auckland, and on Monday I hope to find a competent workshop there.