As a family, on holiday, we tend to have a day of all action, thrills and spills, followed by a quieter day of simple fun. Whenever I look back on holidays those simple activities, and smaller side-trips, are often what stay in the mind more than the action packed days.
Tongariro Crossing Sculpture in Taupo
As a Mum it’s seeing my three daughters getting along happily and enjoying each other’s company that really makes my heart sing, as well as one on one moments with my children – or quietly observing them at play (and often in rapturous laughter) with their Dad.
Here’s a few of the magic moments from our holiday in Taupo:-
A game of chess in the park…
Chess in the park, Taupo
Feeding the ducks at sunset…
Alice feeding the ducks, on the shore of Lake Taupo, at sunset.
Running around a geothermal walkway, with thunder booming over head, with the feeling that a heavy rain shower was imminent, or maybe an exploding fumarole (well we were exploring Craters of the Moon)!
Craters of the Moon
As it turned out we made it around the craters of the moon, past the bubbling mud pools…
Bubbling mud pools
and smoking geothermal outlets…
Craters of the Moon, geothermal walkway.
– without getting wet.
But, as we approached the car (thankfully we’d jogged around the walkway – as if we’d walked we would have been only half way around) the heaven’s opened and down came a torrentially heavy hail shower!
Tree pose in a hail shower – why not!
We could have stayed dry in the car – but the appeal of a quick run around in a hail storm was too much for us (crazy family!) as the video shows…
Feeding animals at a local petting farm…
Petting the guinea pigs at Lilliput Farm.
Feeding time!
Playing around at a local swimming baths as a family…
AC Baths Taupo, swinging on the ‘Tarzan Rope’.
The AC Baths in Taupo are amazing, with two water slides, a large swimming area, wading and paddling pools for the little ones and fun rope swings to do your best ‘Tarzan impression’ (sadly for children only – alas!).
Exploring the local park and riding on a little train…
Playing board games together, swimming the hotel at the apartment, leisurely meals together and relaxed mornings, enjoying the sunsets and doodling for pleasure, all these things and more are the magic moments that make up a holiday.
And finally, driving home together, after a wonderful holiday…
Desert Road (SH1), central North Island, New Zealand
Marvelling at the scenery and fascinating rock formations along the ‘Desert Road’,
along the SH1, central North Island, New Zealand -
‘Chocolate cake’ layered rock on the Desert Road
Making pit-stops to photograph the incredible volcanic rocks in the Rangipo Desert…
Volcanic Rock, Desert Road
and Mt Ruapehu…
Mt Ruapehu
Stopping off for food at amazing little places, in the middle of no where, like the Flat Hills Cafe & Maze…
Flat Hills Cafe & Maze
Driving the highways in New Zealand…
Before finally seeing Wellington harbour and knowing we were nearly home…
Wellington
and going to see our beloved Monsieur Cocoa!
Monsieur Cocoa
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