mn90403

Ah, it is a long day to get a Ferry at 8:45 and then drive to Christchurch. Add in a few road repairs and stops for play and it makes for a full day! We're here!

Wellington tonight and Christchurch tomorrow. There is a bit of rain hanging around here but a mostly clear moon at the moment. I need to start looking South!

Any comments will educate me about the area because I know nothing!

I was considering the size of the lake and thinking it formed long after an eruption. The 'hot zone' certainly stretches out over hundreds of miles. It was cool to see. I know there is a NZ billionaire who wants to harness the thermal and hydro power and send it by cable to Asia.

We are spending our first night at a hotel in Wellington. The satellite says no signal. It could be the sun that is causing the problem.

Look at when the lake was formed.

That was a 'minor' eruption but you made me look up when did the lake form and this is what I found: Lake Taupō is in a caldera created mainly by a supervolcanic eruption which occurred approximately 25,600 years ago. Lake Taupo is 234 square miles vs Lake Tahoe with 193 square miles.

Today I was at Agrodome and we have showed up at Lake Taupo. I stop late in the day after travelling and not any real time to do anything about uploading a picture. During the day we have been to a McDonald's for some free WiFi but this is the first time I've been at a Holiday Park with enough time to read my email and no time to look and add pictures. After I'm back I'll use this for a guide and add pictures and a bit more info.

Ah, I haven't read all of the thread but my thoughts are what was said earlier when the price increases were laid on at the beginning of the year. Raise the price so you can put it on sale! Must agree that Jeff's satisfaction with it and my soon use of Simon's may cause me to make an order before I return from this trip.

The caves were a good stop. Then we went to Rotorua and saw the hot springs and a bit of the town in a drizzle.

Hobbiton was amazing. Today we go to the Waitomo caves.

My last day of detecting before this trip I went out on the beach with my 800 and my coil ears broke off the 11 inch coil. I wondered if it was an omen. I'd say now I have my answer. Even tho it is just a 'coil' I'm ready to get a Manticore replacement.

We went to this area this afternoon! Wow! And it is in a gold region. It was shut down in 1952 but there is still active mining near. More on it later when there is time to put up pictures.

Simon has a wealth of answers as we all know. Thank you Simon.

So, there is this problem of charging my computer. The van needs to be plugged in to a camping spot for the 220 and my converter to work. I can charge my USB devices without a spot. My laptop needs a usb charger.