January 24, Taupo, New Zealand

Six-mile hike along the Waikato River to Huka Falls, following some of the clearest, most intensely blue water we’ve ever seen. The calm river suddenly funnels into a roaring gorge, dropping with incredible force — powerful, loud, and mesmerizing.

Along the quiet river path we spotted native birds — fantails flitting close by, tūī calling overhead, and bellbirds adding music to the trail. The river flows out of Lake Taupō and supports communities, agriculture, and hydroelectric power, so there’s a strong emphasis on protecting it — anything that enters this water moves fast and affects everything downstream.

After the hike, we visited Craters of the Moon, walking among steaming vents, bubbling mud, and hardy plants specially adapted to survive heat and mineral-rich soils.

The day ended just right: another soak in the hot springs, a laundromat run, a surprisingly excellent ham-pineapple-cheese toasty on brown bread (Hawaiian pizza, grilled-cheese style 😄), and dinner back at our favorite local spot before an early, well-earned sleep.Read more