Taupō is a town of about 26,500 that sits on the north shore of New Zealand's largest freshwater lake. Taupō is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, skiing, and water sports. It is home to Wairakei Thermal Valley, Huka Falls, and Rongarira National Park. The name is short for the Maori Taupō-nui-a-Tia, meaning "Cloak of Tia" (Wikipedia)
We hadn't been to visit the Taupō Ward, so Sunday morning we headed south for the one-hour drive through early morning fog.
North shore of Lake Taupō
On Saturday we attended the baptism of Tania and her family. The elders and sisters have been teaching this family for several months, and the Fairy Springs ward has embraced them. Afterwards, we all had share kai.
On one of our walks, I told Elder Rooks where he needed to stand for my picture. He told me he is Not My Fashion Model. (Silly him)
These are striking small trees native to New Zealand -- the Lancewood or Horoeka, also known as pseudopanax crassifolius. These are juvenile trees. As they slowly mature, the leaves fall off the sides and the tops become rounded, like the tree in back, which is beginning to mature.
Early Maori used the lancewood to spear wood pigeons. Europeans used the wood for timber and the central rib of the leaves for bootlaces and to mend bridles and harnesses. (https://www.nznatureguy.com/2020/11/08/7-lancewood-facts-unique-native-tree/)
"Maori would tie a knot in the top of a young plant. Then as the tree grew it would have a straight trunk with a knot at the top that would make a great handle for a walking stick."
Rumor has it that Gandalf used such a lancewood for his staff. (nznatureguy.co.nz)
Highway 5 out of Rotorua was winding and foggy, but eventually the sun came out and burned off all the fog. The road to Taupō has some of the straightest and nicest highway we've been on in all of New Zealand. You can even pass safely on this highway.
Autumn tree color is becoming more pronounced
There is thermal activity along here. I don't know if these are steam vents for geothermal or some other industry
Bridge at the turnoff for Taupō
Taupō town. Along the lake shore, there are a number of some of the largest and nicest hotels in central North Island, including a Hilton hotel.
Another small chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a similar layout to the chapel in Tokoroa. The church members were warm, welcoming and sweet.
It was Testimony meeting, so Elder Rooks and I both bore our testimonies as to the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of the latter-day church by the Prophet Joseph Smith. There were also testimonies by the stake patriarch, and by a reformed convict who humbly told of his return to church activity.
Then we visited the lake, which wasn't far from the chapel.
The biggest lake in Australasia, Lake Taupō, at 606 sq. km (234 square miles), is roughly the size of Singapore, with a maximum depth of 186 meters (610 feet).
It is the caldera of the supervolcano, Taupō Volcano. Its outflow joins the Waikato River, the longest river in New Zealand at 425 kilometers (164 miles), which begins in the Mount Ruapehu eastern range and includes the Tongariro River system.
Looking south and east. There were watercraft and waterfowl. It was going to be a gorgeous day, but it wasn't our day for boating.
We got back on the highway and passed some Holstein cows. The Kiwis love it when I tell them they have great dairy products, which they do.
Crossing the Mighty Waikato River
Beautiful scenery on our way back to Rotorua
This week we have seen dozens of fantails, darting through the air before pausing to rest for a few moments in the trees in our back yard
It takes many shots to get even one good one
They are masters at aerial acrobatics
...and seem to enjoy zooming around
At rest on the magnolia tree
In other back yard bird news, Mr. & Miss Pukeko are sticking pretty close together
They like to walk on top of the fence
...and peck at the grass along our lane
Then one day we noticed Ms. Lonelyhearts, Mr. Pukeko's recent castoff, wandering into the lane from Kuirau Park across the street
She may have been pecked at some time because this white feather is showing. She still shrieks as much as before, making her easy to recognize.
So Mr. Pukeko, in an attempt to keep the peace, withdrew and was hiding on the other side of the geothermal stream.
Miss Pukeko wasn't quite sure what to do, but Ms Lonelyhearts didn't attack her.
Instead, Ms. Castoff sat down on the grass and waited for Mr. Pukeko to make a reappearance.
He did sneak out eventually. You can see why she doesn't want to give him up. He is rather a handsome fellow.
But she keeps coming back. We'll see how Mr. Pukeko handles this as time goes by.
