Day 12 Sun and Highway and Altitude

Early in the morning, at 7 am, I set off at Lake Okaro, as I wanted to visit a thermal spring called Wai-o-Tapu, located a bit outside, where a geyser erupts at 10:15. However, when I arrived at the spring, the entrance fee was 35 dollars for a 1.5-hour round trip. I decided not to go because it was too expensive for me. On the way there, I came to a spot where you have a great view of the area and the geyser from slightly above. From there, I watched the spectacle. Then I drove a little further to a so-called Hot'n'Cold Spring, which campers had told me about the day before. There, a cold water river flows into a hot water river, a really cool experience to go swimming there!

The highway to Taupo was relatively easy to drive on, but there were still about 900 meters of altitude to overcome. After about half of the way, I stopped briefly to refill my water bottles, when a car pulled up beside me and handed me two bananas out the window. The older couple thought my trip was really cool and said that I probably needed the bananas more than they did with all the altitude. The Kiwis are really great with their hospitality!

Fortunately, Huka Falls, one of the tourist attractions of the city, was on my way to Taupo. The waterfall is really impressive! The water in the rivers and lakes in New Zealand is generally much clearer than back home. But the crystal-clear water in the Waikato River surpassed anything I had seen so far. So, in the evening, I was looking forward to dipping my feet in the water. In the city of Taupo, I went shopping briefly and bought my bus ticket for the next day. After shopping, I had to climb up the almost 100 meters of altitude and then ride down a little more to the campsite. When I arrived at 'Reids Farm', I immediately noticed that this was a popular camping spot. Cars everywhere, loud music, many tents, and a joyful atmosphere. I felt more like at a festival. I set up my tent a bit further away, as I had the opportunity to secure the bike there to some extent. In the evening, I went to town with Stephan, a German traveler, and we charged our mobile phones at an American fast food restaurant. Hopefully, tomorrow I will take the bus to Waiouru and from there continue on the highway to Ohakune. From there, the longest bike trail on the North Island, the 'Mountains to Sea Trail', starts and goes all the way to Whanganui. I am particularly excited about the part of the trail that is bridged by a boat for about 25 kilometers on the Whanganui River. I am curious!