The long way to Taupo

Caravan rally over, it’s off to Taupo we go.  We continued up SH1 and under the impressive Makohine railway viaduct.  We’ve travelled over this several times on the Wellington to Auckland express.

Makohine railway viaduct

We were running a little late as we had a lunch date at the Waiouru Army Museum cafe.  Robin’s sister Kaye and was home from Vietnam for a fleeting visit, and was travelling down from Taupo while we were travelling north.  Meeting at Waiouru seemed the most sensible option if we didn’t want to merely wave as we passed each other driving in different directions.   It was the middle week of the school holidays, the cafe in the Army Museum was very full, the queue at the counter was long, and the orders would take quite some time to arrive, we were told.  Never mind, that gave us plenty of time for a catch-up.

That’s my baby sister

Kaye had brought Robin was some Vietnamese  “Weasel Coffee”, plus a special little coffee filter in which to make it.  Vietnam’s weasel coffee is made from coffee berries fed to the animals but the beans pass through their system undigested.. It seems the “weasel” is just the local version of the Asian Palm Civet.  We will let you know how Robin rates his weasel coffee.

Weasel coffee and filter cup

Saying goodbye to Kaye we left Waiouru and took the long way around the mountains to Taupo.  First stop was Ohakune, to the famous Chocolate Éclair shop.  Our travelling companion Geoff has raved about the chocolate éclairs produced by this shop.  Sadly, by the time we arrived mid afternoon, they were all gone.  But there were plenty of other baked goodies to buy, so we all left the shop happy after parting with some cash.

They had run out of chocolate éclairs

The clouds had disappeared as we turning off at National Park to travel along SH47.  The mountain trio ahead of us looked glorious as the sunshine glistened on their snow covered peaks.  This sight was certainly worthy of a camera stop.  No doubt the ski fields are busy with keen skiers enjoying this good covering of snow.

Mt Tongariro and cone shaped Mt Nhauruhoe

Mt Ruapehu

Turning onto SH46 to Rangipo was a road we had not travelled before, and completed our drive around the far side of the mountains.  We re-joined SH1 at Turangi and continued on to Taupo.   The new by-pass road kept us away from the township and our trusty Garmin GPS guided us down past the Aritiatia Rapids to our stop for the night, the National Equestrian Centre.  It didn’t take us too long to pick a site, hook up to power, wind the legs down,  organise the TV satellite dish.  That done, let’s get the meal on and watch the news.  To tell you the truth, we’re a bit worried about all those earthquakes, seems there has been a bit of damage in Wellington city.