Weekend of fun!!

Kiwiana

The attempted hike up the mountain for the view....looking a little mincy Si

Mincing resolved

Yes, that is Si in there!

After getting up at 5.30am on Saturday morning, Si and I headed down to Whakapapa (pronounced fakapapa) ski resort on Mt Ruapehu. We arrived at about 8.30 (2 1/2 hour drive....not bad considering Si drove and even found 5th gear!!), set about hiring gear for Si and getting lift passes and headed onto the mountain. The day started pretty overcast with poor visibility but within the hour picked up to perfect blue sky. Had an amazing day on the mountain- very much spring conditions but it was FAB!!

That evening after having a few beers in the bar next door we retired to our dorms for a well earned sleep.....last ones back at 9.30 in a 10 bed dorm, we are so hard-core!

Sunday we awoke to news of a storm hitting Ruapehu, undeterred we headed up, after getting there and realising we could barely see our hands in front of our faces and that it would only get worse when the wind picks up in the afternoon- we decided to head over to Taupo for the day.

Taupo was great fun....went to see steaming mud pools and craters, amazing water falls, hot springs, honey farms, not forgetting seeing shaun the prawn!!

All in all a fab weekend.....bring on next week when we head back down to the ski resort with a group of around 10-15!!

LOVING IT!!!!