33. Taupo to Wellington - Magic Birthday 1

Wednesday 10 January

Today is my birthday and we left Taupo at 8.00am. It was wet, foggy and one of the most boring road trips ever. Had I known that this part of the trip there are no "activities" - it was just a c ase of getting from A to B (Taupo to Wellington), I'd have arranged my trip differently. Ah well, we live and learn! No photos were possible of Mount Ruapehu ot Tongariro NP - you couldn't see through the fog. Although the sky was a bit clearer further south.

Art Gallery

This bright blue building is at 43 Mataroa Rd. Taihape. Taihape is a small market town on the southern edge of the Central Volcanic Plateau, and occupies a basin on the banks of the Hautapu River. It was originally known as Koronokonui. Today, it promotes itself as the "Gumboot capital of New Zealand" - the locals compete aggressively in the celebrated annual "Gumboot Throwing Contest" in which participants endeavour to toss a gumboot the greatest distance across a paddock.

Along the way

Scenery from the bus window somewhere along the highway.

Morning Tea stop

We stopped here for a tea break. I can't remember the name of the place, but if I do I'll post it up.

Morning Tea stop

Sheep

I just had to get a photo of sheep - where would New Zealand be without all its sheep? Did you know New Zealand has 13 times as many sheep as people? - that's approx. 47.2 million sheep.
No wonder there are so many sheep jokes. (All New Zealand jokes are about sheep!)