Taupo

Indira and Avani enjoy the view of Huka Falls. Notice the blueness of the glacial water.
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The morning after the Crossing it was freezing and rainy.  We met Pam and her dad at their swank hotel, the Chateau Tongariro, where my mom had worked almost 50 years earlier.  I took a few pictures and imagined my mom young and cute and working her way across New Zealand, ever intrepid.

We decided to leave Tongariro Nat'l Park early and head to lower, and hopefully warmer, elevations.  Pam and her dad wanted to explore the area a little bit more but we were excited to take it easy that day and go to the Taupo Hot Springs, so we separated for the day.  We got down to Taupo and peeked around the town a bit.  I liked Taupo a lot, with its pretty lakeside setting and cute town center ("cute" being relative since New Zealand is so architecturally challenged).  Then we checked into the hotel, immediately donned our suits and headed to the hot pools.  The pools were sooooo relaxing and Avani impressed us with her absolute love of hot springs.  It was a mellow fun day and we didn't see Pam and Jim until late that night.

I imagined my mom young and cute and working her way across New Zealand, ever intrepid.