I am a waterfall junkie.
I love everything about them, so first thing after we checked into the Huka Lodge, my husband and I immediately rushed to walk the 10 minutes to the Famous Huka Falls.

I stood on the bridge and watched as the falls powered with hydroelectric force down the river, and I have to admit my first impression was--That's it?
I was expecting to be blown away by the falls. Instead the famous Huka Falls seemed dinky. I'm used to spectacular waterfalls in Montana that have stupendously stunning vertical drops of 100 feet or more. Or the super-wide falls at places like Ousel near Big Sky.

On the other hand, the color of the rushing waters here--turquoise!--is unexpected and spectacular! I'm sure someone will accuse me of photoshopping, but I haven't touched the extraordinary gem-like color.

And the sheer force of the current is sobering. This is not a place to mosey down to the shoreline to get a closer view, a tighter photo, of the rapids. The speed of the roaring, rushing waters demands respect.

Then yesterday Toby came for us, and landed his helicopter on the front lawn of the lodge. (That was pretty exciting. Another guest commented that I was jumping up and down with excitement.) The first thing the pilot did was swoop low and hover along the river. Viewing the Huka River from above gave us a feeling of its breadth and majesty that was lacking when we stood on the viewing bridge, shoulder to shoulder with other tourists.

Viewed from above, I understood and appreciated the glory of the famous Huka Falls.