When it rains in Taupo...the city stands still

Lake Taupo.
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So much for skydiving today.  Last night it was thunder storm after thunder storm (albeit they were pretty cool) and this morning there is a heavy layer of clouds which means the plane won't be flying : (  Talk about a huge disappointment.  However they did say to call back later as sometimes the clouds do break.

So what to do with the day.  Its kinda spitting right now, but I'm from Rupert known for its rain, so I'm not about to let it stop me.  Lisa and I walked up and down the streets of Taupo looking for supplies of the Tongariro crossing.  I haven't exactly decided if I'm going to do it or not, as its a 17 km hike up 3 volcanoes and of course back down.  It takes 7 hours for most fit people.  Because I'm not really physically fit I think it would take me longer and therefore be left behind and I don't want to go through that again with the bad luck I had last time.  So I'm sitting on the fence whether to give it a go.  I'll most likely make my decision once I get there.

The worst possible thing that could happen, happened!

Lake Taupo. I don't know if you can see the mountain in the background, but thats Mt. Doom in Lord of the Rings, also one of New Zealands active Volcanoes.
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Its now 2 pm and we called the sky diving place.  They said they are going up so they are going to come pick us up.  I can't wait.  Wish me luck!!

Ok its now 530ish and we're back from Sky diving.  We did our training, got up in the plane, got up to about 10 500 feet but then the worst possible thing that could happen, happened.  The weather turned ugly in a matter of seconds.  Another thunder storm rolled in so they canceled the jump : (  I'm not going to be able to go sky diving.  This is the most disappointing moment of this whole trip.  I was going to do it.  I was really going to jump out of a plane.  If they would just open the door I would have jumped at 10 500 feet.  I just wanted the experience.  Alas they wouldn't let me.  So disappointed.  I literally feel crushed inside.  Its amazing how quickly the weather changes here.  They say the same about the crossing too.  You can be up there walking on the most glorious day and in a matter of seconds its raining and snowing and wind all at the same time, which could obviously lead to trouble.  This royally sucks!

Lake Taupo looking towards the city.
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So now we're walking around Taupo again bored out of our minds.  We're contemplating a movie but I've already seen the one I really wanted to see (Blood Diamond, it was good, but gruesome) so I don't know.  I think I'll walk down to the lake as it looks like the clouds are breaking again.  Just my luck.  Sky diving is closed now so I won't be able to go up.

Next time I come to New Zealand I will get to go Sky diving.  Even if I have to stay in this boring place for weeks I will go up and jump out of a plane if its the last thing that I do.

I've included some pictures of Lake Taupo, New Zealands largest lake.

Till next time,

Roseanna