Friends Rob (Kiwi) and Becky (Texan) McEwen own a B&B in Taupo, on the north end of Lake Taupo, a 20 mile diameter volcanic crater lake in the middle of the north island.  The eruption that blew this 20 mile crater may be the greatest volcanic eruption ever.

The entire 20 mile diameter lake drains through one narrow shoot at Huka Falls:

Its only about 100 feet wide.

Upstream from the falls is a nice hike along the river.

You know how at Six Flags and Disney World the fake streams are filled with water dyed an unreal color of green.  Well, in New Zealand the real streams are really that color.

This is Rob and Becky's B&B,

and this was view from our room.

Jennifer, Becky and Tim.

Here are Jennifer and I modeling the merino wool/possum fur sweaters we bought down there.  Possums are a big problem in New Zealand, so trapping, killing and skinning them for garments is the environmental thing to do.

Here is a special message to Mike Holman and David Gibbs from Rob:  "If you want a chance to win back The Black Towel, come and get it."

Oh, by the way, we saw this near Hamilton, between Auckland and Taupo:

It's a DC-3... and a restaurant... and obviously, a billboard.