Spent the last week touring up from the South End of the North Island, from Wellington to Bay of Islands.
First we saw Tongariro National Park. What a beauty. Hikes, mountains, waterfalls, and some fine wine and card games with T and K. Because it is up in the mountains, the nights got really cold. Thank goodness for our touques and layers.
Next it was off to Lake Taupo, where we hit up a natural thermal hot springs that flows into the river. Thermal Springs = Nice. River = cold. We then camped up on the river, with a nite time cookup.
Rotorura is an amazing place, with thermal activity everywhere. We stayed on the lake, and if you dig down a couple feet on the beach, you create your own little thermal pool to enjoy. We hit up the Arakai Koraka, which is a thermal park, filled with hot pools, bubbling mud holes and an amazing cave. We then headed into town, stopping at a well known NZ mountain bike park, where we rented some gear and shreaded.
From Rotorua, we headed to the coast to Manganui. The beach front parkup was amazing, with Mt. Manganui as a backdrop for an afternoon hike, offering amazing views, and a morning run to keep my fat ass trimmed. There was also a heated salt water pool to enjoy, which we did.
Some photos for you all .....
The hike up Mt. Manganui.
Views over Manganui.
Bubbling mud pools at Akarai Korako. Have to see it to understand.
Thermal pool.
River view at Taupo.
M and T enjoying the natural hot springs.
M . D. 170 . Tongariro Baby!
Tongariro Hike.
The Rapahue ski fields at Tongariro.
Volcano.
Waterfall times at Tongariro.We are now in the Bay of Islands, soaking up the beautiful view and hoping for sun. The dark clouds have come in, with the accompanying winds and showers .... Hence the intraweb post.
Looks like it is a day for lattes, dice game, NZ Pies, and a rain jacket walk.
Hoping for sun tomorrow so we can get in one last kayak.
Sweet As.
. M . D . 170 .
PS - beard is less itchy ... but still feuntied.
Wow! What beautiful pics! Amazing scenery no matter what pic you look at! Sounds like you guys are making the most of every minute and for us here at home, you're top notch as far as "tour guides" goes. I LOVE the pic of the two of you ... it's definitely a keeper and I want one for Christmas. Love the beard Mike ... you look so sophisticated!
ReplyDeleteWe all miss you and look forward to hearing your travel stories beyond the pics when you get home. Take care .. be safe. I love you both ..... Jo