Tongariro Lodge

| B+B

30 March – 03 April

We originally planned to stay and fish in Napier on the east coast, but the news-making cyclone in February hit that region hard and nixed any opportunity to fish. Rivers were trashed and bridges were washed out. We plan to visit in the future, partly for the Art Deco architecture. We rebooked at the Tongariro Lodge in Turangi, on the south end of Lake Taupo. It was established in 1982 by Tom Hayes, an angler and guide, and boasts that previous luminaries who have fished the nearby Tongariro River have included the fly fishermen President Carter and Harrison Ford. Chalets (multiple adjoining units) and villas are nicely sited in a lushly planted twenty-two-acre landscape. Most importantly, it has a bar that served Robert great Manhattans and Bonnie Americanos. When you arrive at the reception desk for check in, the clerk asks you to fill out a form with your height, weight, and shoe size so they can supply you with waders for fishing. But, of course, Robert already had us equipped. They also have a broad lawn next to the main lodge for helicopters that ferry fishermen to more remote rivers.

Bobby Loyd: Helicopters are ubiquitous in New Zealand. Very useful for farmers on large stations far from town. In the small town of Twizel we saw a helicopter pad next to the tiny medical center, which is probably common elsewhere as well. And lots of helicopters to take people to remote fishing streams, hunting camps, hiking trails, and ski runs.

On the Way from Palmerston North

A well-known shop along the way
Lots of merino wool mixed with possum
Another shop we know with a selection of wool clothing. Only two small purchases.

This is called the Desert Road, but these are not true desert conditions. The bare landscape is the result of layers of pumice from nearby volcanos.

Trout Hatchery

A national park site
Excellent museum displays
Note that rainbow trout came to NZ from Sonoma Creek and Lake Almanor.

Accommodations – Tongariro Lodge

Lawn next to the lodge
At the lodge we made a new friend—Rick—who was there to fish for a few days. He hails from Golden, Colorado, and is an avid star gazer. He came from Australia where he participated in a muli-week star-gazing event that drew people from around the world. Instead of photographing galaxies light years from Earth, he makes sketches that can take several days to complete. He showed us some impressive examples. Rick reminded Bonnie of her brother Bob—a good soul with a sense of humor and lots of stories. We shared several breakfasts and dinners with him.
Lodge dining room
Sticky toffee pudding and ice cream

Around and About

Bonnie was fascinated by this little bird—a Fantail. It/he/she flitted around the entry to the lodge regularly, snatching bugs day and night. Like most NZ birds, it was not afraid of people, so easy to photograph up close.
California quail
Distant thermal activity
Trees downed in the February storm, adjoining the lodge, now being chainsawed
Many of these mosaics along Bonnie’s walk into town

Dinner Out

The lodge did not serve dinner on Sunday, so we went to the Hare & Copper nearby. An eclectic mix of offerings, most with a spicy kick. Turns out the owner/chef is from Mexico City. Very good tapas-style dishes.

Next stop—Tapou!

Leave a Reply