Tongariro National Park

The big weekend finally arrived.  The one we had all been training for --- Sunday was to be the conquering of the Tongariro Crossing!

David and I boarded the Northern Explorer after busing into downtown Auckland at 6:03 am.

I think I can ---- I think I can

Views of Mount Ruapehu and Mt. Ngauruhoe  from the train.

We met up with our 3 friends at the depot cafe as planned and had a little tea before heading to the Skotel Alpine Resort.  

The motley crew in front of our modest chalet.  Yes David was an incredibly good sport accompanying this group even after the other male dropped out due to a conflict.

And then we trucked on down to the forest station to check the weather forecast and sign up for the morning shuttle.  That's when our trip took a turn --- the projected forecast of gusty winds and heavy rains eliminated any hope of attempting the crossing on Sunday ---- the shuttles would not be running.  We knew this was a possibility but Really?!  Really?!

All those hikes --- all those stairs we had climbed preparing

Being with a group of psychologically-minded folks and an occupational nurse, we reviewed our options and decided to go on our first hike --- Taranaki Falls

Sunday we woke up to chilly temperatures and massive clouds over Mount Tongariro.  Determined to not let our disappointment ruin the weekend, we took off on the Whakapapanui Track which followed along Whakapapanui stream and was a more sheltered bush walk.

After tea we bimbled back to our Chalet just as the heavens opened up and the temperatures dropped.  A pounding rain continued all afternoon and night.  We celebrated not being up on the very exposed crater ridges.  A good dose of brownies (thanks Carol), a group effort crossword puzzle and the game of Squabbles kept us entertained. David was endearingly nicknamed Whakapapa as the afternoon progressed.

A little metal hammer ---- a pink peppermint pig (nicknamed "Peppa") and sharing of gratitudes for the year 2013 took us to lights out and the donning of our jim jams.

Monday began out cold but turned into a beautiful day.  We enjoyed the Silica Falls trek before our voyage back home.

We may not have gotten to do the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing with its craters and mineral lakes but we did get to enjoy beech forests, cascading streams, and waterfalls with a wonderful group of friends on a memorable weekend.

Kiwis to Pukekos

Twelve days with Beth and Hunter was food for the soul.  Hunter just ran into my arms and held on like a little koala bear.  Over their stay Hunter and I created a water color essay of their trip with Beth adding her special artist touches.

The Auckland Zoo was one of our first stops.  The animal habitats are so well designed and the kiwi house was incredible.  Once our eyes adjusted to the dark, we were treated to a a real live kiwi trekking through the leaves right next to the viewing glass.

The next day was on to the Auckland Aquarium with many more visual delights.

Unbelievable

New Zealand grown stingray!

A day at Maraetai Beach provided some great tidal pool explorations.

And castle building

Howick Historical Village orchestrates a treasure hunt for children.  Provided with a circles of clues that leads around the village, kids collect ribbons at the different buildings.

"Would you like a cuppa tea?"

A trip on the ferry to Devonport is always a wonderful way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon ---- sidewalk cafes, stores to browse, huge park, and the best ice cream in New Zealand.

                                    You've got to love a place with knitted covers for its poles!

    Another pristine beach which gave Beth and Hunter the opportunity to do some wave jumping.

                     A child's delight --- hot thermal pools ---- one even with a big movie screen

Beth loving the ferry ride back home

Days filled with laughter, fun, and time together ---- the fodder of memories

Orewa

Walks in the rain

Tea time

A Great Visit!

The Coromandel --- Katie's visit continued

                           Now the big adventure --- a 2 hour ferry ride to Coromandel Town

   David looks pretty pensive while Katie is turning green with a rather turbulent ride.  The cool breeze helped revive her so that we were able to take off on the Harray Track just minutes from our lodge when we landed.  We tramped through a rather steep and sometimes unpredictable track for what felt like hours.  It was a warm summer day.

O'k --- we go up this hill and then what?

Well you cross over this little bridge and then go around the crest and then go up the hill and then….

"Auuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh"

But we were in for a treat ---- after this rather arduous hike we headed for the Driving Creek Scenic Railway ---But before getting there we pass this incredible little cafe set in the woods

This little yellow cottage spun us back in time to the 60's ---- the natural decor /  long haired owner /  Bob Marley playing in the background ---- and the most delicious chocolate berry milkshakes ----

All aboard the Driving Creek Train ---- the creation of a railroad fanatic turned sculptor  --- Barry Brickell --- who still resides on the premises and now creates pottery.  David was the only one adventurous enough to actually hop aboard and wind through the mountains in this little train --- every rail actually designed and placed by Brickell and his team.

Katie smiling on our terrace, happy to have made it back to the lodge after a l-O-N-G walk home.  The next day is a BIG day of exploring ---- We head on a Coromandel Adventures tour to Cathedral Cove ---- an incredibly beautiful beach with a unique cove.

                                                            View from above

 

                                                     Somebody has been working out!

                       
                                                               "Aaaaaawwwwwwwwwww!"

                                            Check out the white bird above David's head …..

The original tour planned a stop at Hot Water Beach ----- you are provided a spade, pointed in the direction of the crowd and instructed to work with a team to dig a hole which will then automatically fill with  thermal water which can sometimes burn your feet so you need to include a channel that will let cold water dribble in.  You then stretch out in the sandy self-dug pool and relax with a bunch of strangers.  Now I pondered this the night before and had images of sand up my bathing suit as I squished into a communal sand bath with scalded feet and an inadequate cold water ditch feeding our pool.  I just wasn't feeling it so called the tour guide who was happy to accommodate my new plan ---- a visit to Lost Spring Thermal Pool --- a luxurious spa built into the rocks over a natural spring of mineral waters with pool side drinks served ------Hmmmmmmmmm

Yes that crowd of people are busy digging their hot water pools while we are driven to The Lost Spring.

Oh Yeah!

I have to admit I felt sorry for our fellow travelers as we picked them up after our 2 hour luxury soak --- one guy said his feet got burnt --- the woman in the group just said she needed a shower ---- let's just say no one seemed very happy ----

                                                  The sun setting on a magical day!

Before we headed back home on the ferry we snuck in a visit to New Chum's Beach ---- written up as one of the most spectacular beaches in the world.  National Geographic labels it one of the top 20 beaches in the world.  Such a site cannot be accessible to everyone.  There is no road to get there.  You first have to wade through a stream ----- then rock hop to the start of a bush walk ---- hike a bit ---- and then you are treated to paradise.

Well we are figuring out that the word "wade" in New Zealand has a different meaning.

This is David making it to the other side ---- Note his rolled up shorts are wet ---- Great legs, aye?!
Let's just say that I was chest high in this stream before making it across ---- and Katie kept saying "Go slow, these rocks are slippery" as she slip slided her way across.  So "wade" --- I don't know--- I think swim would have been better advice.
But making it across the stream made the rock hopping seem "easy peasy" and the bush walk was a piece of cake.  Now what to our wondrous eyes should appear…..

"Is that wave coming this way?"

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

This beach was so beautiful --- the water and sand pristine ---- the waves incredible ----a magnificent sight ---- 

A "not magnigicant" sight….

David was determined to be chivalrous on the return stream crossing.  This image does not capture the depth in the middle of this so called stream nor the 2 feet step up to the beach at the end.  I was laughing so hard that I finally just fell in at the end ---- another young couple thought this was "brilliant".

Our ferry trip home was calm and peaceful ---- as we drifted through the Firth of Thames our minds wrapped around all the incredible beauty we had seen 

A memorable trip!