Here on Mount Ruapehu

For Saturday, Sunday, Monday  19th, 20th, 21st of Feb.

Picked up car in Auckland, warning general population that two right laners were starting out heading south.  Coaching each other ( As in, OH NOOOOOO!), we made it across the coast of the Bay of Plenty, ending up for a two day stay with Jim, a Kiwi vet,  and his family.  They own a nursery, and made us feel very welcome.  Sharon made us a delish chicken dinner and we plotted the next day, a day of choices:

1. Go to Rotorua and environs, with Maori meeting houses, dances, talks on the culture, and tours of that area...a once in a lifetime immersion course in everything Maori PLUS chances to look a earthern steam vents, mud pots boiling out of the ground....along the lines of Yellowstone Park but enlightening of the shaky isles; OR
2. Go Trout fishing with Jim....

Jim and I caught nothing, but had a good day in beautiful country.  Mimi absorbed culture at Rotorua, while I ended up at a RSA (Returning Service Association) hall, very much like the South Haven American Legion but with larger beers.  

All of the Gilchrist family joined us for dinner at an Indian restaurant along the coast, and it was superb (India Aroma at Whakatane).  In the morning we had breakfast together then Mimi and I resumed travel south, bidding a fond farewell and heading past Lake Taupo to a large national park at Whakapapa Village.  We were headed to Whanaganui, but due to a date mix-up diverted to Tongariro National Park which resulted in a killer two hour hike in the national park past falls; use of a rather unusual pool; ping pong; use of suana and laundry in the hotel basement ...if a hotel has amenities we try ‘em all.  Then, tomorrow, on to Whanganui. But I may play golf first, as this hotel has a nine hole course playable for $10 (one of the workers told me, “It needs a mow”...indicating a guest last played it two months ago. At least it is the highest one on all of NZ!!)

Weather continues with high 70’s and lots of sun, although we watched the clouds roll in this afternoon, thereby changing our plans to take a ski-lift to higher grounds.  

Whanganui positions us pretty far south on the North island.  

Camper van here we come!

And the driving adventure begins!!

Te Anui   Maori

The men here are carefully selected from their Maori families and trained to carry on the carving traditions of the various Maori tribes.

They were watching a newly made video on Maori dancing

At the Governor's Compound in Rotorua   And there was a petanque club as well!

In Whakatane... the Lady of the Lake who swam out and saved a Maori ship/canoe

Eva, Sharon, Sam and Jim   What a wonderful visit!!

Vietnam  1968-1969

Annie...this is the RSA Returning Service Association (I think that is the name?) The American Legion equivalent... Denny loved it!

Huka Falls  Water falls at 200,000 litres a second

Young men are chosen from their Maori tribes to learn and carry on the carving traditions... the same pertains to weaving (women)

The Government Grounds and the Rotorua Club of Petanque!!

Our two hour hike today on Mount Ruapehu, Whakapapa Village (Tongariro National Park)

The Falls

Is that a volcano yonder?

hotel

Fierce ping pong was played here... and won by Denny

the 90 degree pool in the basement.. very cool (so to speak)

One last Rotorua shot... this town is built on a crater..what you see in the distance and what runs all along the town, is the top of the crater...

Can you see what is on the top of this tree? The latest craze around Paihia, apparently!!

From Friday.... sand surfing...a blast!!