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October 9, 2009 - Tongariro
I took some pictures after we left Waiotapu and headed to Tongariro, but forgot to put them in the last post (which was long enough anywaye, so here are those photos!
I took over 80 photos on this drive, but not many turned out (hard to take photos in a moving vehicle). This is a picture of the shore of Lake Taupo. We stopped to take it and some of the others that follow).
Sorry, I can't resist a pretty yellow flower!
Nice little waves on this big, cold lake!
Katrina said it was chilly, but she rolled up her pants legs...just in case!
Saw a lot of this yellow flower. I think it is a type of forsythia.
Some kind of pine cone?
Jack has found a new favorite food...amazing what a lack of chicken nuggets, waffles and pizza will drive you to eat!
So on to October 9th....
Today ended up being an unexpected day off. Since Daniel and Jack couldn't hike, we just ended up entertaining ourself around the Chateau.
We woke up around 8:20 and were ready to head out at about 9:40. We walked across the street to the historic Ferguson's Cafe. Then we visited the Whakapapa Visitor Center. We spent some time there learning about the area, the volcano, the possum (which is a pest here in NZ), and other interesting things.
Then back to the chateau. Time to gather laundry and catch up on it. It took about 3 hours (only one dryer was working, so it took a long time to get all the clothes dry), but I enjoyed writing postcards while I waited. Then Katrina and I watched "Home on the Range" in the Chateau Theater. After dinner in the Pihanga Cafe, Daniel, Katrina, Jack and I visited the library and played some cards and backgammon. Then Katrina, Jack and I went to visit the pool, but we didn't stay long. It was heated, which was nice. It was about 3 feet deep. It was in the basement and a definite add in...they had found a corner, poured some concrete walls and added water. It was in a corner and was dark and claustrophobic feeling.
So Katrina and I got dressed and went to the library. We enjoyed reading a book in front of the fireplace and drinking a cup of hot cocoa. It was an awesome way to spend an evening!
