Lake Taupo is the largest freshwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere. It is as large as the island of Singapore. It is surrounded by stunning volcanoes, bush clad mountains and spectacular landscape. The water is stunningly blue, the air fresh and unpolluted, the town bustling with cafes and shopping, and plenty of activities for the visitor make it a great weekend getaway.
We had booked ourselves in the Suncourt Hotel which overlooked the lake. With a view like ours, we had no choice but to have dinner on the patio. Breakfast was also on the patio. We could not get over the beauty of the lake.
Maori Rock carving:
In the late 1970s master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell came to his mother's land at Lake Taupō. On a boat trip around the Western Bays he saw the cliffs at Mine Bay and decided to use them as a canvas for his work. Matahi decided to carve a likeness of Ngatoroirangi, a visionary Maori navigator who guided the Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupō area over a thousand years ago. In recognition of the multi-cultural nature of New Zealand, Matahi also carved two smaller figures of Celtic design, which depict the south wind and a mermaid. The Ngatoroirangi carving took four summers to complete and the carvers took no payment other than donations to cover the cost of the scaffolding. The carving has become an important cultural attraction for the region and is a wonderful gift to the local people and visitors alike.
We had booked ourselves in the Suncourt Hotel which overlooked the lake. With a view like ours, we had no choice but to have dinner on the patio. Breakfast was also on the patio. We could not get over the beauty of the lake.
We took a cruise on this cat!
The Maori Rock carving can only be reached by boat.
Maori Rock carving:
In the late 1970s master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell came to his mother's land at Lake Taupō. On a boat trip around the Western Bays he saw the cliffs at Mine Bay and decided to use them as a canvas for his work. Matahi decided to carve a likeness of Ngatoroirangi, a visionary Maori navigator who guided the Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupō area over a thousand years ago. In recognition of the multi-cultural nature of New Zealand, Matahi also carved two smaller figures of Celtic design, which depict the south wind and a mermaid. The Ngatoroirangi carving took four summers to complete and the carvers took no payment other than donations to cover the cost of the scaffolding. The carving has become an important cultural attraction for the region and is a wonderful gift to the local people and visitors alike.
This reminded me of the fjords in Norway.
Came across this aircraft which is actually part of the McDonald's restaurant!!
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