Sailing Fearless on Lake Taupo to see the Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings
- 4 years ago
Today we're at Lake Taupo going for a sail on the pirate ship Fearless.
You can, too! Book here: https://sailfearless.co.nz/
The "Fearless" is a 36 foot ketch. Designed by American Lewis Francis Herreshoff. Launched in 1989, it's sailed all around the world. You'd never know it, but the Fearless sank when it hit a reef in Fiji. She's been lovingly restored and now she's ready for our Lake Taupo Sailing adventure.
This is David, Captain of the Fearless. He's spent 20 years sailing Lake Taupo, so there'll be no sinking on this voyage.
It's 45 minutes of smooth sailing before we reach our destination... the Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings. Visible only by boat.
Sculpted by hand wearing nothing but speedos, Matahi Brightwell and four friends completed the carvings in 1980. The 14 meter tall face depicts his ancestor. Smaller sculptures also include a topless woman and a water dragon. The water dragon is Horomatangi, the guardian of Lake Taupo. Basically Taupo's Loch Ness Monster, and rumoured to take vengeance on anyone who dares disturb him, which takes us to our next activity... swimming!
I was the only one dumb enough.. I mean adventurous enough to jump in the cold water. Look at that form! Must be a 10 point dive ahead. Nope. I'm going to hide in shame.
Back on board, and fully dressed, it's time to relax on the long ride back. The sun is getting warm and I'm feeling sleepy. What a great trip. Definitely go.
Music courtesy of artlist.io
00:00 Komorebi by Ottom
01:34 Jungle (Instrumental Version) by Moon
02:19 Smooth Sailin by Thonio
02:56 Close and Far (Instrumental Version) by Israel Wasserman
You can, too! Book here: https://sailfearless.co.nz/
The "Fearless" is a 36 foot ketch. Designed by American Lewis Francis Herreshoff. Launched in 1989, it's sailed all around the world. You'd never know it, but the Fearless sank when it hit a reef in Fiji. She's been lovingly restored and now she's ready for our Lake Taupo Sailing adventure.
This is David, Captain of the Fearless. He's spent 20 years sailing Lake Taupo, so there'll be no sinking on this voyage.
It's 45 minutes of smooth sailing before we reach our destination... the Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings. Visible only by boat.
Sculpted by hand wearing nothing but speedos, Matahi Brightwell and four friends completed the carvings in 1980. The 14 meter tall face depicts his ancestor. Smaller sculptures also include a topless woman and a water dragon. The water dragon is Horomatangi, the guardian of Lake Taupo. Basically Taupo's Loch Ness Monster, and rumoured to take vengeance on anyone who dares disturb him, which takes us to our next activity... swimming!
I was the only one dumb enough.. I mean adventurous enough to jump in the cold water. Look at that form! Must be a 10 point dive ahead. Nope. I'm going to hide in shame.
Back on board, and fully dressed, it's time to relax on the long ride back. The sun is getting warm and I'm feeling sleepy. What a great trip. Definitely go.
Music courtesy of artlist.io
00:00 Komorebi by Ottom
01:34 Jungle (Instrumental Version) by Moon
02:19 Smooth Sailin by Thonio
02:56 Close and Far (Instrumental Version) by Israel Wasserman