Day 23 - Walk on the moon

06.12.16

Today we wake up again at '5 Mile Bay', but no longer at Königsplatz but only at Queensplatz:-)

Getting up and packing today goes surprisingly quickly, so we are already on the move at 09:00. The first destination is the Volcanic Activity Center in Taupo. When we arrive there, we have to realize that it only opens at 10:00 instead of 09:00 as stated in the travel guide. We decide to do the Moon Walk first and head to the 'Craters of the Moon'. There we take a 1-hour walk through a volcanic crater landscape, with bubbles and hot steam rising out of the holes everywhere.

Then we go back to the Volcanic Activity Center. In the center there are many exciting information about the volcanoes and earthquakes in New Zealand. In an earthquake simulator, we can also experience the intensity (6.3) of the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch. This was already a bit eerie. Unfortunately, there is a lot to read and it's tiring, but also very exciting - there is also a current report about the earthquake of November 13, 2016.

Soon the stomach starts to growl and we look for a place to eat in Taupo. But before that, we go shopping and hunt for souvenirs. Then we continue towards Waitomo Caves. On the way, the fuel supply slowly runs out and we look for a cheap gas station. With the last drop, we reach a remote and affordable gas station in Mangakino (and no, there is no cinema there - haha). Since it is very sultry today, we look for a cool-down at Lake Maraetai. After that, we continue to Waitomo. There we find a place to stay on the 'moon', see for yourself...

After self-made spaghetti pesto with chicken breast and a beer at the nearby restaurant Roselands, we go under the covers. Tomorrow we want to get up early, there is a Black Water Rafting tour on the program - ou yeah!

Photo of the day: Santas on the Beach