Inhospitable place to grow

amazing where they can grow - At least it is safe from dogs using it :D

Lovely pic - that water is so nice colour

It is amazing how some plants grow in strange places. I'm not sure about the face in the rock. What is it?

it looks like a monkey in the middle

I remember this - I went out on a sailing yacht and spent the whole trip trying not to be sick! Far from the "pleasure cruise" that it was supposed to be! I was told after that as the lake is so big it is affected by the gravity of the moon and as such has slight tidal tendencies..............

The face carved into the rock is a Maori 'Tiki', which is used by them to refer to carvings done in roughly humanoid form. It is often used to denote the boundaries of a sacred site. Nowadays, it has become very popular with young people, European & Maori, to wear as a symbol on a thong around the neck.

Meanie ..... You are absolutely right re the lake being so big that it is affected by the gravity of the moon & has slight tidal tendencies. When one approaches Taupo via the very long & very tedious Desert Road, & one edge of the lake suddenly comes into view, it does look like an ocean with small waves lapping at the shore. This lake has a 616 sq kilometres (238 sq miles) surface area & is a freshwater lake ... deepest point is 186 metres. When the volcano which formed this crater lake erupted, the eruption was seen from as far away as China. The whole area is very beautiful, with hot springs & thermal activity throughout the region .... much of the Lord of the Rings triology & The Hobbit were filmed in the Taupo region.

Dwyllis - I'd move there tomorrow, although no more boat rides for me. I was actually sick on Lake Wakatipu...........

I also spent many happy days on horseback out in the bush to the east of Taupo. You're right, it is beautiful country!

Ain't nature amazing!!

above the tree i can see a elephant and a young lady with a green hat on, or have i had to much christmas tipple,? lovely picture.

LOL Joebell! I think I can almost make out the young lady with the green hat on.