Vacations-Away
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Lake Taupo Map Lake Taupo Sailing Taupo New Friends Wellington Crossing the Straight Lake
Taupo Sailing Bud and I rented a 21' sailboat and sailed for about 4 hours in a 25-30 knot wind. It took us a while to tack up into the belly of the of the lake against the stiff southern breeze. As it grew later in the afternoon the wind increased and we turned downwind, reaching over 12 knots.
Our last night -
a gorgeous sunset.
On our Way to Wellington The next day we left for Wellington, marking the end of our first week, and our visit to the North Island. Top
We drove down the length of Lake Taupe and then alongside the volcanoes (pictures above) at the southern end of the lake. We then turned south toward Wellington and the southern tip of the North Island.
Wellington
We arrived late in the afternoon and had a date with a ferry at 7am to cross the strait to the South Island; so, we had an early dinner and got some sleep. I had left my jacket at the ferry building while buying tickets and upon discovering it had to rush back from the city center to try to find it. In spite of the crowds of people just getting off the boat from the South Island, I found my jacket on the only empty seat. No one had taken it - says something for the honesty and friendliness, which we found wherever we went.
Crossing the Strait MAIN TOPICS
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is located south of Rotorua by 80km
is a huge and magnificent body
of water extending toward 3 snow-capped volcanoes to the south. It is the largest lake in New Zealand at over
33km long at an altitude of 360m. It is very similar to Lake Tahoe.
The northern shores are much sought after as a Kiwi holiday spot. We intended to
stay for one night and stayed for two. Our favorite lake community. 
Many folks were gathering here for Easter.
Families from the north and south were meeting up for the long weekend. We
were lucky to get a place for 2 nights (had to change places for the 2nd
night). We met some wonderful folks at a local pub, who invited us to
their bach (Beach house) for cocktails the next night. Our host,
hostess, their son and a neighbor, and Charlie, their lab. We had a wonderful time!
Looking
toward the volcanoes at the southern end. 
I should mention that the highways are generally only 2
lanes one per direction and about 80% of the bridges are one way; basically,
first one in wins. Folks are generally courteous, but it does make it
sporting. 
The weather was stormy.
The
boat was sturdy, fast and comfortable; however, as we hit the force of the storm
we rocked and rolled; it became exciting. The weather was
storm 