Today we pulled up stakes in Rotorua and made our way south to Taupo, on the shores of the eponymous lake. The weather was a bit iffy, with sun one moment and rain the next (or even hail at one point!) so we didn’t plan any big outdoor activities. Fortunately for us, the sun was out as we drove past Huka Falls, where the outflow from Lake Taupo flows through a natural flume before falling into the basin below. The flow is impressive, but the color is even more striking.

For lunch we followed a recommendation in our guidebook and sought out a cafe/art studio called L’Arte. Besides excellent food, they offered eclectic artworks such as this concrete mosaic sofa and ceramic flowers. (We declined to test the comfort of the sofa cushions, since it had just rained and they were still wet.) Even the bathrooms were done up in style!

After checking in at our lodging, we were looking for an afternoon activity that wouldn’t get rained out. A brochure at the information center caught Susannah’s eye, and we booked time in an escape room. Called “The Hunting Lodge,” it was their hardest challenge puzzle, with three rooms, and centered on a gruesome murder. We managed to solve the main puzzle, but not the advanced level (to date, apparently nobody has).

The weather had improved by the time our escape room was finished, so we followed up with a scavenger hunt set up by the same company. It served as a good excuse to explore the central part of the city on foot, as we looked for a number of interesting landmarks guided by enigmatic rhyming clues.

Finally, we had dinner at the Crafty Trout, an eclectic place known for brewing, fly fishing, and wood-fired pizza. The chicken, cashew and apricot pie was unusual but quite tasty!