Riverwalk, Waterfall and Natural bridge

On Friday we’re not on the move. We booked two nights in Turangi. We have a look at the harbour nearby and I finally discover the cicadas, they are big. They sit still and we take pictures of them, so these are our loud neighbours. We drive up to the river and go on a Riverwalk. First we have to climb upon the path and we have a great view over the river floating into Lake Taupo. We are high above the river and the path goes down from here. We see a huge rock wall on the other side of the river. There are some men standing in the river, fishing. After a while we go to the riverbank, this is a stone bank for a couple of meters. Then we have to go back on the path and go over the hanging bridge. Why are it always hanging bridges, they wobble walking across them, I’m not very good at this. We’re back sooner than I thought. Back to the motel for lunch and after lunch there is enough time to drive to Tokaanu, there are thermal pools and we want to see them. We do realise that it will not be the same as at Wai-o-tapu, but it still is fascinating. At first we don’t see a lot and are a bit disappointed but when we walk in further it turns out to be quit nice. Back at the motel we have diner made by our lovely host Lyn, served in our room. It is very nice.
It is Saturday and we are on the move again. Up to Te Kuiti. We pay a visit to Whakapapa Village, where we can see mount Ngauruhoe, for LOTR fans mount Doom. Mordor is close by too. In the visitors centre there is a model where we can see which top is the right mountain. Doom is an active volcano and on the other side there are mountains covered in snow, on the bottom of them is Mordor. There is not much out here besides walks and we are not dressed for the not so warm weather so we get back in the car to drive to Te Kuiti. We only make a stop along the road for some lunch. A wee bit after two o’clock we arrive at the Panorama Motor Inn. Our host is very friendly and tells us a lot about the tourist attractions in the neighbourhood. Once in our room we have a look at the information and d find out that there is another film location of the Hobbit nearby, Hairy Feet. We also want to see the Glow worm caves so we would like to stay a day longer. Lucky for us that’s possible and we go to have a look at the Marokopa falls. We pass the caves, till then the road is fine but after the caves it gets narrow and a lot of bends and hairpins in it. There are no road signs at what speed to go through the bends. Ad says, this waterfalls must be worth the drive. Finally we get there and they are very beautiful. The water falls down for at least 30 meters, the sun is shining on it and we see a rainbow in the falls. Huge rocks at the bottom and it is really a great view. On the way back we make another stop to see the natural bridge. It is mainly limestone and there were caves once but they collapsed thousands of years ago. Except the part where the bridge is, actually there are two bridges above each other. This part didn’t collapse. When we are at the other side of the bridge, you can’t see a bridge at all, just jungle. Back on the narrow road, but it sure was worth it and we did all we wanted to do, so we don’t have to go back here.