Becks I think you'll find the correct pronounciation of Taupo is Too Poor. ( Source: The weather report on 3 News ). They named it this because about 95% of the population are too poor to live there and have to be content with stopping for a sausage roll there on the way to Auckland.
So here's some pics from our long weekend away. We drove to Auckland (NZs biggest city) through the middle of the North Island
Here's Mt Ruapehu (Roo-a-pay-hoo), one of NZs many volcanoes (last erupted in the early-mid 90's, I remember watching it from afar as a kid)
And Mt Ngarahoe (cone shaped one) (naa-ra-hoe-ee) and Mt Tongariro (rugged flat type one to the right) (tong-a-reer-o) - these two are right next to Ruapehu and Tongariro is where Mordor was set for the Lord of The Rings movies.
Here's Lake Taupo (tow-paw, proper Maori pronounciation, or an attempt at writing it at least lol) - a great big lake in the middle of the North Island that was created by a giant volcanic explosion many many years ago.
Auckland city centre from a boat we went on a harbour cruise in, the tall spiky building is the Sky Tower
Me on Rangitoto (rang-ee-toe-toe) Island - another result of volcanic activity. There is no soil on this island but the trees grow awesomely on the volcanic rock.
Going underneath Auckland harbour bridge on the boat
Rangitoto Island in the background, the north shore part of Auckland in front of that, from the viewing deck of the sky tower - I nearly pooped myself lol not a big fan of heights
The beach at Devonport, a suburb of the North Shore area that we had a nosey around
