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New Zealand Adventures day 10 - Taupo to Cambridge.


Evening Lovelies,

Today we left the lovely Lake Taupo, and on the advice of Rob’s fishing guide we headed south to Turangi. 

 From there it was supposed to be a short 10 minute drive to the Saddle at the base of Mt Raupehu to get a great view of the snow.  You would think we would be a little wiser regarding the time frames from the locals, but no – so off we went.


The start of the drive was quite pretty, but by the time we were ½ hour in my tolerance of sheer drops off the side of the road was beyond it’s limits, and we had still not reached the Saddle.  I will admit to being totally terrified, tears streaming down my face, and gripping the seat. 

Robbie eventually managed to turn around and we headed back along the same fear-filled road that we had just travelled.  We stopped in Turangi for a much needed cup of tea and a break while I tried to settle a little.  I am just glad he took the photo after all the effort to get there.

 
We hopped back into the van and headed up the Western Bays Highway towards Tokoroa where we tried to get some rolls to have with our lunch.  We were then going to find a rest stop for another break and then head into Cambridge.


Alas it was not until we were 10 minutes out of Cambridge that we saw a rest stop, so we kept going and headed for our van park for the night.

The scenery on our trip was really quite spectacular if you managed to look straight out and not down.  Lake Taupo is enormous.  Once we left the shores and headed more north it was cattle and sheep country, with some forestry thrown in. 


 There were even some thermal vents up high in the mountains.


 By 2pm lunch was done and we headed into town for a walk and to collect some postage stamps to send of a couple of cards. 


We wandered down the road towards the river, and guess what, there was a terrifyingly high bridge to cross.  Not my day really.  I stuck as close to the inside rail as I could and we made our way across the bridge.  Even Robbie said it was a little scary.


We found a Museum, so popped in there for a quick look and then made our way around town to find the post office and then back to the van.  


Yes, we had to cross the same bridge back.  Thankfully tomorrow we do not have to cross that one to continue on our way.
All for tonight.

Things we learned today.
Locals have no idea of time frames.
You cannot buy plain bread rolls at bakeries.
Nearly no-one knew were to purchase postage stamps.
and a tidbit from yesterday – 
there is open season on swans.  They are considered a pest.
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