Southern Charm
quality time with the family.
Matt and Sandi, our 13 year old twins, are typical teenagers. More interested in the X Box, I-Pod and the mall than anything physical, so we decided to take them on a weekend's adventure. Rafting was the popular choice, but as we strapped on the helmets and listened to the safety briefing, I began to have my doubts. Half an hour into the trip I relaxed as the twins laughter echoed down the river. It was seriously good fun and exciting enough to keep us all enthused through the final rapid.
As we paddled through the quieter pools, Matt had taken an interest in the trout we had seen, so we decided to visit the Tongariro National Hatchery, just south of Turangi. The riverside walk and lush native bush were beautiful, but Matt spent most of the time in the underwater viewing chamber trying to count the fish as his sister fed them bread from the riverbank above. Sandi's favourite was the bug display at the interpretive centre while husband Dave couldn't drag himself away from the displays of old fishing gear dating back to when trout were first introduced to Lake Taupo in the late 19th century. After a snack at the Mustard Seed Cafe in Turangi we headed off to Lake Rotopounamu 6km from town on SH47 on the way to Mt Ruapehu.
Lake Rotopounamu (Greenstone Lake) is a beautiful spot completely surrounded by ancient native bush, rich in birdlife. It's a two hour walk but we stopped on the eastern shores about halfway around the lake for a refreshing (really cold) swim. The twins ran ahead, hid and jumped out to fighten us time and time again. We talked and joked stopping only to gaze at the scenery and soak in the atmosphere of the dense undergrowth and towering canopy. They must have travelled twice the distance we did.
The Lake region is known for its volcanic heritage and thermal activity so we headed down to Tokaanu for a hot swim. As Matt and Dave fed wild trout from the bridge leading to the hot pools, Sandi and i walked through the thermal area adjacent. Steaming fumaroles, hot pools and bubbling mud were an eerie sight as steam drifted across our path. After a leisurely soak in a private pool we headed back to the motel and dinner.
As we sat in our room after dinner i watched the twins sleep at either end of the couch. Their slightly sunburned faces and happy snuffles as they slept had me wondering why we hadn't planned more family holidays like this in the past.