This morning the Gentleman Friend’s aunt, who lives near Taupo, collected us and took us to Hukka Falls. We went via a walk along the fast-flowing blue-green river hung over with ferns and other vegetation, at a near sprint. This is the first time I’ve met this aunt and it was curious to see someone who physically and in some mannerisms so resembled the GF’s mother and in temperament and interests is so completely different. She was definitely at her best when doing something, such as walking, so after a stiff start, it was a pleasant morning. Hukka Falls was beautiful, foaming through a narrow walled canyon, but I thought the taming of the surroundings to make bridges and walkways was rather a shame. We then raced to catch the sluice-gates opening further along the river, but missed it by a few minutes. Nevertheless, I always like a good dam, and we passed geothermal stations oozing smoke along the way. The a quick lunch (her husband joined us), and we were dropped off in Taupo where the GF and I had a short stroll along the lake and then returned. Tomorrow, Rotorua.
I also booked a place for when we leave NZ, and am quite excited about our plans. Though, again, they seem impossible, like a tightrope act that one must eventually fall off.