Having said that, we begin our commentary in Tongariro National Park.
Above and below, you can see the old Hotel Tongariro
Hotel Tongariro, situated at the base of NZ's most poplar ski resort.
Tongariro National Park, NZ
The interior of the hotel was even more beautiful than the outside, looking like it just stepped out of the roaring twenties, in the days of the speak-easies and the flappers.
The view of the Lounge from the main staircase
Hotel Tongariro, Tongariro National Park, NZ
The patrons of this lavish resort have an awesome view of their picturesque surroundings.
The View from the Lounge
Hotel Tongariro, Tongariro National Park, NZ
In the very centre of the lounge, is found a beautiful accent piece reminiscent of the time that the hotel was built, along with a grand piano for the headliners of their day. Notice in the background to the left, the glass doorway leads into the formal dining room.
Hotel Tongariro, Tongariro National Park, NZ
We found this interesting piece inside the main dining room. Just look at that beautiful wood grain and craftsmanship!
Hotel Tongariro, Tongariro National Park, NZ
Luckily we stopped in at this hotel, because an antique painting of the Pink and White Terraces was still hanging on display, showing the wondrous beauty of this marvel destroyed by the Mt. Tarawera eruption of 1886.
Hotel Tongariro, Tongariro National Park, NZ
Upon leaving the premises, the departing guests had the wondrous view below to entice them to return as soon as possible. Who needs advertising when you've got that!
A last look at Hotel Tongariro from above
Hotel Tongariro, Tongariro National Park, NZ
Below you can see Cailin pointing to the light that designates where we were. This 3-D model was very precise at showing all the hikers exactly what lay ahead of them when they braved the various trails--including the famed Tongariro Crossing (6-7hrs.) We did a two hour loop hike to Taranaki Falls, and we were still aching from that one! We were talking to two Dutch girls, who told us they did ten hours of hiking the previous day over the Tongariro crossing, with an added three hour summit run to the top of one of the peaks! Ah, the wonders of youth!
Tongarira Visitors Centre
Tongariro National Park, NZ
One of the interesting sights we saw on the Taranaki Falls loop, was this shot of the pathway, which was unique--on this path anyway--due to the water wear on the rocks that lined the path. Obviously, when the stream is flooding, this is one of its frequent paths.
Taranaki Falls Loop Trail
Tongariro National Park, NZ
A neat shot of the woodlands trail on the Taranaki Loop
Tongariro National Park, NZ
Taranaki Falls, Tongariro National Park, NZ
Another shot of the falls,
Tongariro National Park, NZ
"Are ya sure we have to walk all the way back there? Isn't there a taxi somewhere?"
Colleen, posing on the half-way sign post, Taranaki Falls Loop, Tongariro National Park, NZ
What is this? I saw it, and it reminded me of some of the scenes in Lord of the Rings©, so here it is.
Hilltop Bolder formation on the Taranaki Falls Loop, Tongariro National Park, NZ
Colleen and I thought this forest glen looked pretty spooky, so we took a picture. Cool, eh?
Taranaki Falls Loop, Tongariro National Park, NZ
I don't think he knows I saw him doing this.
Cal, Horse Feathering around at the end of our hike
Taranaki Falls Loop, Tongariro National Park, NZ
According to the lady selling merchandise at the souvenir shop, this was the stone wall used in filming the Battle of Helm's Deep in the second Lord of the Rings movie, called The Two Towers.
Tongariro National Park, NZ
Gollum glumly contemplates his future, as he gazes into the distance where his destiny and Mount Doom are soon to collide.
Smagel/Gollum/Cal gazes at the mountain used as Mt. Doom in the Movie, The Return of the King. Tongariro National Park, NZ
Looking down on the valleys and plains below, from the slopes of Mt. Tongariro
Tongariro National Park, NZ
Another angle of Mount Doom, actually known as Mount Ngauruhoe, "technically a secondary cone of Mount Tongariro. The volcano lies between the active volcanoes of Mount Tongariro to the north and Mount Ruapehu to the south" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Ngauruhoe
Another shot of Mt. Doom in the distance.
Tongariro National Park, NZ
On the way down the side of Mt. Tongariro, we stopped to take some pictures of a strange substance strewn all over the high plains on the mountain's shoulders.
"Manna" What is it?
On the slopes of Mt. TongariroTongariro National Park, NZ
Upon closer inspection, we found that the substance was actually a type of moss, that only grows above the tree line, amongst where the exposed volcanic rock begins.
Moss above the treeline.
Mt. Tongariro, Tongariro National Park, NZ
Colleen holds in her hand the strange white moss.
On the slopes of Mt. Tongariro
On the slopes of Mt. Tongariro
Our steady steed, the Mitsu Pajero, in front of our basic cabin in Napier
Napier Holiday Park
Napier, NZ
Augury in Napier
Tongariro National Park, NZ
One last look at Mount Doom, from just above the Tongariro Visitor's Centre area.
Tongariro National Park, NZ
Having finished our visit to Tongariro National Park, we were off to Napier, but not without a few pit stops along the way. Below you see what I believe to be a 30' tall white cedar hedge. We were told that since there is no real winter in New Zealand, trees like the Great Redwood grow much faster. My guess is that this white cedar also grows faster and to a greater height than in its original habitat.
A farmer's white cedar hedge along the side of Hwy 49
South of Tongariro National Park, NZ
Along the way to Napier, we couldn't resist visiting the National War Museum, in Waiouru
Chieftain MBT
Waiouru, NZ
In the Museum, we met a soldier on sentry duty, guarding the nation's most cherished military artifacts.
Sentry assigned to guarding state assets in the National War Museum
Waiouru, NZ
As it turned out, we were mistaken...S-A-D-L-Y mistaken...
"Gomer Cal, at your service, SIR!"
National War Museum, Waiouru, NZ
The war museum in our rear view mirror, we happily took Colleen's navigational advice, and travelled from Waiouru to Napier over the Otuarei Rd, through the Three Kings Mountain Range, and the Kaweka Forest Park. The views were awesome, but sadly our time schedule did not allow us the opportunity to stop and take photos. The one below is the only one that made the cut from this part of the trip, sadly.
This hillock looked so much like Signal Top, from Fellowship of the Ring, that we had to take this picture. Otuarei Rd, travelling to Napier.
We arrived in Napier during a dull and dreary rain squall after all the good weather inland. What is noteworthy about this crossing is that we drove on what Jay believes is the twisty stretch of road that Mazda used in their awesome zoom-zoom-zoom commercial. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of the road, nor the silly grinning driver!
Our steady steed, the Mitsu Pajero, in front of our basic cabin in Napier
Napier, NZ
Augury in Napier
A little humour for the guests at Napier Holiday Park
Napier, NZ
Good Night From Napier!
When visiting a national park,read the rules. The plants are protected. You are not supposed to take a piece (even a small one) just to take your useless picture.
ReplyDeleteThe "piece" you see was lying on the ground dislodged from the rest of the plant. As to "taking" it, you'll find it lying on the ground where we found it. I agree that ecological concerns are not to be scoffed at, or minimized.
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