A Day Road Trip in Taupo

Taupo is a town on the North Island of New Zealand. It is located at the outlet of Lake Taupo, which is the largest lake in New Zealand.

Actually we were planning to visit White Island today, and we booked the White Island tour a couple of weeks ago. But the tour was cancelled due to terrible weather, so we have to postpone the White Island tour until tomorrow. Since we have free time now, we decided to explore Taupo!

— Huka Falls —

Huka Falls are the waterfalls on the Waikato River in Taupo. It is a popular attraction in New Zealand with magnificent view. The mint-colour water looks so refreshing and I love it very much. It is such an outstanding and beautiful waterfall! There are a few walking tracks which I wish I could complete them one day.

 

— Wairakei Terraces —

Our next stop is Wairakei Terraces in Taupo. Wairakei Terraces is a tourist place with thermal pools and Terraces Walkway. The thermal pool in Wairakei Terraces looks really tempting! It is a very good idea to relax with your partner here. Unfortunately we did not bring swimwear; else we would already jump into the pool!

Suddenly it rains, so we hide in a hut – a small lovely hut.

 

— Huka Prawn Park —

We are hungry and decided to feed our stomach in the Huka Prawn Park. About 80% of the customers here are Asian people (as we like prawn!). This place is popular and we need to queue. The prawns are fresh and delicious. You can even catch the prawns yourself and cook them.

I look so happy! Sometimes I think my friend is secretly admiring me because she captured every moment of me!

 

Then, we shopped in the Countdown supermarket in Taupo to buy some junk foods and two bottles of wines. While we were paying money at the check-out counter, we were stopped by a supermarket staff and I was asked to present ID. This is because they suspect I am under age (18 years old) although I am already 26. =.= Most Kiwi people have a problem in recognizing Asian’s face!

I thought it will be an easy task as we will be fine if any of us is able to present the ID. But the problem is that they insist that I must present my ID. We kept telling them that my colleague will be buying and pay for the alcohol, but they still do not allow because we come in a group. At the moment they suspect any minor will be served with the alcohol, they have the right to stop the group of people from buying it (New Zealand is a very strict country!). This is the first time we heard this!

I just passed my driving license test last week and have yet to receive my driving license. Usually I carried along my passport as a prove of ID to buy alcohol, but I did not bring it this time. In the end I go back to the car twice to take my temporary car license (without photo) and Malaysian ID to prove that I am an Adult. It took quite some time and I am very sorry to keep my colleagues waiting for me.

Now, we are heading from Taupo to Whakatane (pick-up area to White Island). We hope the weather tomorrow will be fine so that we can visit White Island!