Taupo day two

Today we had a wonderful bus trip with all the Symposium tutors to see some sights. There are tutors from around the world and it was such a special thing for the organisers to arrange. Larry and I had seen most of the sights before but it was just as exciting to revisit. First up were the amazing Huka Falls.......

And then a very favourite place of mine where I made a significant purchase last year ....just a very little purchase this year which is all wrapped safely in bubble wrap - so sorry no photo (and it is very, very little Larry!!!). Lava Glass is definitely a must see if you visit New Zealand......

It is truly wonderful to watch the glass artists at work.....

We were also treated to a most delicious lunch in the cafe before heading up to the Aratiatia rapids. The gates are opened a few times a day and you can see the 'before' scene below as it rapidly fills.......

On the way back to the hotel we had a quick visit to L'Arte Cafe which it says on the website is one of the top 10 places to visit in NZ. I did think these were real trees at first (!!)......well we are in a foreign country after-all!!

 and a 'teapot tree' .....

 Enjoy my views as I wandered through the garden of amazing ceramics and mosaics.......

 I would love to have taken one of these little chaps home but they were a little heavy and fragile..............

 Very clever dragonfly that turned out to be made of cutlery..........

Tomorrow it is time to start working (and yes Karen I am teaching)...so more of that later xx