down before sunset

down before sunset
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

A celebratory drink with sunset, taken at The Chateau which is a hotel at the bottom of the mountain. A total time of eight hours walking.

smoking hot pools

more smoking pools
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Up stream were some hot pools, however, part of a sacred maori site. so look but don't visit.

tongariro crossing

tongariro crossing
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

The view from the other side

tongariro crossing
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

On the walk down

Emerald Lakes

tongariro crossing 013
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

More awesome colours hidden up in the mountains

Look to the east!

tongariro crossing 009
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

The view from the top

tongariro crossing 008
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

to Mordor!!!

to Mordor!!!
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

welcome....

welcome....
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Ladies and Gentleman....

Ladies and Gentleman....
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Mount Doom - Mt Ngarahoe

Mount Doom - Mt Ngarahoe
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Once up there you can see Mt Ngarahoe, which is the site for mount doom in the return of the king. Here lay Frodo and Sam successful but waiting to die in the lava.

climbing up the old lava flow

climbing up the old lava flow
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

It takes about two and a half hours to climb up to the saddle between the two mountain peaks

early morning sun

early morning sun
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

early morning start, bus at 0730 and on the walk by 0800

Mt Ruapehu

Mt Ruapehu
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Not where we're walking but a nice view nearby.

tongariro crossing

tongariro crossing
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

We've been hoping to do this walk for a few weeks, but have been hampered by bad weather.

But after much prayer we had a clear sunny sunday to give it ago.

a night at Villagrads!

a night at Villagrads!
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

our local winery, Villagrads, had one of their four special harvest nights on Saturday with a great party atmosphere, food, and dancing.
The Waikato is not known for it's wine but this family is now in their fourth generation and the wine has developed to some tasty wines! we spent most of the evening sat on the table with the owners - who proved extremely hospitable!

some salsa - but no men

some salsa - but no men
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

there was a great latin band playing all night with lots of dancing but very little talent in salsa dancing so jules and i ended up dancing together!

grape-stomping!

grape-stomping!
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

was your saturday night this much fun?!
we went to our local winery, Villagrads, for an awesome evening of food, drink, stomping the grapes from the new harvest, salsa dancing, and latino bands! lots of fun!

waikato draught!

waikato draught!
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

pretty rough stuff this but its the local beer and there wasnt anything else!! - important to try out the local fare!

chiefs vs cheetahs

chiefs vs cheetahs
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

rob, sarah, jules

rob, sarah, jules
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

slowly, we're getting through our 'wish list' - this was still on robs- a night at a new zealand rugby match!

Waikato stadium

Waikato stadium
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

we had to go to a live rugby match whilst we were here. this one was in our local stadium, Waikato, with the waikato chiefs playing the South African Cheetahs in the super 14's tournament.

the washing machine effect!

the washing machine effect!
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

this is me after my first ride down! i laughed so much that i had to go for a second turn - this time, both julianna and myself in one zorb attempting to remain standing for the duration of the ride - we achieved 3 seconds worth!

zorbing in Rotorua

zorbing in Rotorua
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Zorbing is great fun!! you climb inside a large inflatable ball and go rolling downhill through a zig-zag course. you get thrown around all over the place and the ride is made even more fun with 2 bucketfuls of water inside the ball with you!