The Big Trip

View from our flat

Mt Ruapehu

Mt Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom from LOTR)

Pretty waterfalls


So, last weekend 7 of us headed back down to the mountain.
We left at 7pm and within an hour we were stopped by the police (uh-oh.....does that big chocolate muffin show up as alcohol!!!)
All would have gone much smoother if I hadn't wound down the back windows instead of the driver window....apparently not a good start.  After being breatherlised we were back on our way.
We passed the big apple cafe (not a tomato), waitomo caves and AMAZING scenery on route and arrived at National park backpackers around 21.30.

That night was a chilled one with dinner, a few drinks and bed (the last to arrive was poor Becky who was on-call till 10.30)

The next morning we were up bright and early and headed up to Whakapapa (Fa-ka-pa-pa) It was the most amazing day-perfect blue sky, unfortunately, freezing winds with speeds of up to 80km, the Turoa resort on the other side of the mountain (which is more exposed) closed and all those skiers came over for the day - crazy busy and freezing.  We stopped soon after lunch and spent the rest of the day doing some really nice walks around the area - absolutely stunning! 

That night we went out for food and drinks - most people were knackered but we managed to stay up to watch the rugby (Waikato, then Aus/SA)
 
The next morning was perfect conditions - no wind, spring temps.  So good, and Turoa was open so not crazy busy. Had a really really good day and fantastic weekend.

This weekend has been a good one 2 - highlighted by our 1st guests - Joe and Kathryn came to visit.  Really lovely evening.

This weekend, we have the rugby (All Blacks/Springboks) then white water rafting - looks set to be another good one!