Alpacas, chickens and doggies, oh my!

No, it's not a farm and they didn't ask me to muck out the stables. Raewyn and family live in a beautiful, inviting home just outside of Taupo with fantastic views and some very friendly animals in their spacious yard. Raewyn and her husband are both very involved in the Taupo community, but despite that they made time to make me feel most welcome.

I visited in winter, and their house was very cozy and warm, with a fireplace and the most powerful small space heater I have ever seen (must be Kiwi ingenuity at work, that!). Raewyn is an excellent cook, as well, and was kind enough not only to ask whether I had any dietary restrictions but also to cook some of the best meals I'd had in a while.

Very definitely recommended. I'm already craftily plotting my return during warmer months....

PS: Apparently their washing machine can play at least one country's national anthem. Ask Raewyn's son for details....