New Zealand Photo Journal #8 Cycling Lake Taupo By Scott David Plumlee

New Zealand Photo Journal #8, Cycling Lake Taupo Copyright 2015 Scott David Plumlee. All text and photography by the author. Map image from Wikimedia Commons. Table of Contents: Cycling to Taupo 6 Taupo Rose Garden 24 DeBretts Thermal Pools 30 Wharewaka Camp 35 Cycling to Turangi 38 About the Author 50 Discover more adventures at: www.davidchain.com/travels.htm And at: www.amazon.com/scott-david-plumlee/e/b001js5hk0

Previously on NZ Photo Journal: After sailing from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula, I cycled down to the Hobbiton Shire, and then did a four-day hike outside of Rotorua. Next, I biked past the Rere Waterfalls to Gisborne on the east coast, and then westward through the Te Urewera National Park to see Lake Waikaremoana. Today, I ll be pedaling south to Taupo for some civilization, and then around Lake Taupo to Turangi, where I am planning to hike the Tongariro Crossing. Wow, so much to see - let s go!

January 1st: Up at 6am for a sunrise soak in the Waikite Thermal Pools -- I just love this place!

I enjoyed a coffee-n-protein shake while reading my Papillon book till it got too hot at 8am.

Finally getting motivated I packed my camp gear and started pedaling south at 10am to Taupo.

After way too many days of rain -- the blue skies with fluffy white clouds are a blessing to me.

New Zealand traffic jam actually had a few cars stopped, but I just weaved through the cows.

Back at Matamata, I got my panniers out of storage, and peddling my bike on to Rotorua.

Back Even at with Matamata, a few clouds, I got I m my panniers still getting out sunburnt of storage, on and my peddling knees through my bike 50 on SPF to Rotorua. sunscreen.

Passing Lake Ohakuri, unfortunately the road is above it without any access down for a swim.

Back at Matamata, I got my panniers out of storage, and peddling my bike on to Rotorua.

Although they do clear-cut the mountains, here s proof that they go back and replant the trees.

Crap, I just realized that my detour down the valley added 20km onto my journey to Taupo.

People in New Zealand just love their wacky mailboxes, but this one wins the weekly prize for its sculptural quality, humor, and originality. You would rarely see this in the USA -- Why is that? Are we all trying so hard to be normal that we cannot get outside of the box and make a playful statement with our mailboxes? Back at Matamata, I got my panniers out of storage, and peddling my bike on to Rotorua.

Today I cycled 81km (50 miles) to Taupo, found the Kiwi Holiday Park, pitched my tent, took a hot shower, sent some emails, and then walked to town for a steak dinner and a movie.

Fully determined to spoil myself in civilization, I went to a restaurant for a steak, then to the grocery store for some cookies and cashews, and finally to the theater to see the new Hobbit film. The movie was awesome, and the evening could only be improved with a pint of Guinness from an Irish Pub. I quickly made some new friends, and got lots of laughs from the dozen dirty jokes I keep on file for just such an occasion. I stayed out way too late, but it feels great to be so recklessly extraverted.

January 2nd: Up at 7am to Skype with family back in Kansas, so nice to see their smiling faces.

Back at Matamata, I got my panniers out of storage, and peddling my bike on to Rotorua.

I walked downtown and noticed some great graffiti artwork on the buildings. I got some chicken fried rice for lunch, and then found a bike shop to buy chain lube, and two spare tire tubes. My next quest was to find a health food store where I could buy protein bars, and electrolyte tablets to add into my bottles for hydration. With my hard-to-find items purchased, I took a break from my shopping spree to visit the Taupo Rose Garden to satisfy the aromatherapy fix of my inner butterfly.

Back at Matamata, I got my panniers out of storage, and peddling my bike on to Rotorua.

After satisfying my curiosity, and discovering that Taupo really was not a big city. I went to the Pac-n-Sav to restock pasta, sauce, tuna, nuts, coffee, and cookies. Back at the holiday park, I washed all my clothing while I wore my rain gear. I organized my dry food, cooked fresh ravioli with pesto, and read Papillon. While patiently waiting for my clothes to dry, I met a German girl who was hiking the length of New Zealand and wanted to try yoga in the morning with me at 8am.

January 3rd: Up at 7am, coffee-n-protein shake, and led a yoga class for one smiling Manja.

Manja and I decided to get lunch and then walk out to the local thermal pools for a soak.

Back at Matamata, I got my panniers out of storage, and peddling my bike on to Rotorua.

Soaking in these pools has been heavenly, and the dragon slide was awesome, but there were no camping spaces available for us to stay. Manja and I, being used to camping in the wild were not too concerned by this, and were more than happy to go wander down the coastline. Everything happens for a reason, sometimes it doesn t seem like what you wanted, but with a little perspective you look back and realize it was exactly what you needed to help propel you forward.

We walked and talked, happily ignoring the scary clouds, till we found the Wharewaka camp. We arrived at 8:30pm with just a pinch of light left to set up our tents in the drizzling rain. Luckily, we both got our dinners cooked before the skies opened up and poured all night.

January 4th: Up at 7am, made coffee and a protein shake, enjoyed a swim in the lake, and then led another yoga class for Manja; here she is about to fly away -- I think she s a born yogi.

After yoga class I was relaxing in the shade of a tree, and noticed to my surprise these small parachutes coming down, realizing we were across the highway from the Taupo Airport.

I gave Manja a long hug, hoped I d see her again, and started pedaling south towards Turangi.

Back at Matamata, I got my panniers out of storage, and peddling my bike on to Rotorua.

The coastal trail only went to Hatepe, then I had to get onto the sizzling blacktop highway.

Back at Matamata, I got my panniers out of storage, and peddling my bike on to Rotorua.

Several boats were anchored here, as the people were climbing up the cliff and jumping off.

Back at Matamata, I got my panniers out of storage, and peddling my bike on to Rotorua.

The owner of the Motuoapa Holiday Park loved cyclists and happily filled my water bottles.

It was a great feeling to know that I was half way, even if this is with a straight line on a map.

Today I only cycled 45km, and was planning to go further, yet as I arrived in Turangi and pulled into the city center, I saw Manja sitting on the lawn of the isite center waiting for me; apparently she had hitched-hiked here and had just passed me on the road. I knew it was meant to be, and decided to stay the night with her at a local campsite, and then go hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, before I continue my journey westward to Mount Taranaki.

Thanks for joining me to cycle the coast of Lake Taupo to Turangi; hope you liked the photos. Won t you join me for my next adventure to hike the Tongariro Crossing from Turangi? If you LOVE this photo journal ebook, please leave a review on Amazon -- Thank You. The author, Scott David Plumlee, seen with a monkey on his head below, is an avid world traveler, photographer, and writer. He has traveled to over 40 countries, taken millions of photos, and is always willing to share his jokes, stories, and philosophies. Plumlee is also the author of the five book Chain and Bead Jewelry series, and currently loving life in Guatemala. Discover more adventures at: www.davidchain.com/travels.htm Visit my Amazon author page at: www.amazon.com/scott-david-plumlee /e/b001js5hk0 Friend me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/scottdavid.plumlee View my jewelry designs at: www.etsy.com/shop/davidchain