Firstly - I have to apologise for taking so long to getting around to updating you all on what went on with the rest of the trip but bugger it I'm doing it now am't I?!?
So on we moved from Rotorua to Taupo - quick journey across as there were lots of things to be getting on with! We got to Taupo which is where you can do the cheapest skydive in New Zealand - only $150 to fling yourself out of a plane at 12,000ft! I actually declined as I have already has the pleasure of jumping out of a plane and it was at 15,000ft so I had nothing to prove. But about 10 people did and my lord were they buzzing when they got back in one piece and with no injuries a couple of hours later.
The rest of us were taken to a nearby thermal reserve and nearer again to a waterfall/gorge where I got to see possibly the biggest rapids I have seen in my young life - the water was going downstream at a speed you wouldn't believe, pure white water and pure madness if anyone ever decides to try and get through it - apparently someone did try once but came to a rather sticky end - sticky in that his head brushed of a few rocks on the way through.... No-one else has been brave enough or should that be foolish enough to try ever since - and believe me for New Zealand, the land of the adrenalin junkie that's saying something!
The rest of the afternoon was spent taking it easy down by the Lake and then haring back to the hostel when one of New Zealands frequent rain fronts moved in at a speed that would make a Formula 1 driver jealous! So what to do when rain grounded us in the hostel......well what else - a pool competition of course. I am sorry to report that I was knocked out in the semi finals and the gold went to Germany - ah well there's always a next time.
On to the educational stuff - well not really as its a bit Hollywood! Set right behind the Lake are the mountains that you can see in all 3 of the Lord of the Rings films, Mount Doom, etc. Looked absolutely spectacular when we arrived - bright blue sky, huge snow capped mountains - literally like a scene out of a movie and would you believe it....it was!
So on the next morning to Whakapapa (for information purposes - the Wh at the start of a name is pronounced F so figure out the incestual name above!) where we went straight to the top of Mount Ruapehu but yet again the rain god decide to piss on our parade and sent us scurrying back to the bus - and this was proper rain, didn't let up all day or night so we were yet again confined to barracks. The place where we staying was right in the national park and is the starting point for the best 1 day walk in the world - the Tongarrio Crossing. The walk takes about 6 hours and crosses the National Park’s scenically amazing volcanic plateau (complete with steaming craters). Even if the weather had been suitable I don't think my old women's knees would have made but I'll never know, maybe I would have been tempted (or at least I can tell myself that now that it was no longer an option!). But again if you ever end up in the Land of the Long White Cloud it is something that is highly recommended and consistantly comes top as the 'favourite thing I did while I was in NZ'.
But anyway as we were confined to barracks - if we couldn't do the walk we could at least take in the scenery eh? How did we do that you may ask yourself? Well obviously we watched the Lord of the Rings - all 3 of them! So 10 hours later.....I have to say though that was probably the first TV I had actually watched since I had arrived so I didn't feel too bad. And then to soothe the bum sores from sitting on my ass all day went of to have my own private soak in a spa for 30 mins, all free of charge - what a great hostel/hotel! Oh and we had our own chalet too which was great - the Skotel, just in case you end up being over here.
So it got to 8am the next morning and we had another go at going to the top of Mount Ruapehu and yippee the rain eased up, the clouds cleared and it was spectacular views all the way around. A nice way to send us on our journey again.
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