Huka Falls

Huka Falls, about six miles outside Lake Taupo, are a great sight. The river roars along, gathers speed and plunges dramatically, not that far but at a fantastic speed before broadening out again downstream, calm restored. The water is brilliantly clear as it tumbles over the top.

Overall, the Falls form an important part of New Zealand’s power supply system. Dave

A Taste of Honey

Inspired by a movie we saw in the U.S. called the Secret Lives of Bees, which included, albeit obliquely, bee-keeping as part of the story-line, we called in at The Honey Hive and Meadery near Huka Falls outside Taupo. Various honies can be tasted and then bought if you want them. We came away with one called Pohutukawa.

Part of the main building was hit recently by fire and the owners are operating out of nearby temporary premises until next month. Still room though to display an interesting video about the life-cycle of bees. On average a worker bee lives about six weeks and produces just half a teaspoonful of honey in that time Seems a tiny haul for all they put in but I suppose they get a buzz out of it. Ho, ho. Dave

Saturday 22nd November 2008

Hole in One?

This is a golf competition with a difference. Your regular hole on a manicured green was absent. In its place was a kind of raft, anchored off the shore in Lake Taupo containing a three apertures one a “normal” size golf hole, the others consisting of sandy based hollows, one twelve inches in diameter, the other twenty one inches. Anyone who can drive their ball into the small hole wins $5000, the others smaller prizes.

I treated Dave to five dollars worth and he certainly came close with several balls. He says he’ll have another shot at it tomorrow and I’m hoping he’ll be able to treat me to dinner afterwards.

Jean

UPDATE on 23rd November

Dave did indeed have another five dollars' worth, coming close each time, but extremely close with one ball. Unfortunately I was left with the bill for the Thai meal this evening, so no luck for me! Ah well, it was very tasty.