On our way home

Wellington Airport has some awesome Tolkien displays.

Windfall

Nothing to do with raspberry tarts, this windfall was me managing to talk my way into a partial refund of our unused lift passes and equipment hire.  The policy is strictly non refundable and you can use them anytime in the rest of the season but I lucked onto a sympathetic girl on the phone who agreed to refund us nearly $600NZD out of the $1360 so we could feel not so ripped off due to the unfortunate weather closures. 

On the 2nd ski day they closed all the lifts due to strong winds at 1pm and I thought if I'm goung to be stuck down on the nursury slopes I may as well make it interesting and blagged my way into loaning a snowboard and boots.  My intention was always to make the switch when Ben inevitably comes and asks to board.  But this was my way of making the best of an unfortunate situation and I absolutely loved it.  My mate Dave who was a novice himself gave me 5 mins of tips and pretty soon I was boarding down the slope making left and right turns.  Can't wait to do some more but owing to the last 3 days being closed altogether that will have to wait for our next trip (Japan?)

You pronounce it how?

The lady in the fish n chip shop last night told me how to pronounce Whakapapa [blush].

So after the walks near the village the Rhodes family set off home to try and get Lola & Elliott to have a sleep and we decided to drive up to the (closed) ski field to have a look around, having only seen Turoa.

Great sealed road and only 6km up.  It snowed on the way up (making Carole's day).  Had a wander around and a mulled wine and headed back down for all you can eat rib night at the Suitcase Bar, our last night before returning to reality.

Plan D

3rd consecutive day of closed mountain meant we had used up plans B & C and had to scratch around for a D.  But came up with another enjoyable day.  Drove the 47km to Whakapapa Village in convoy with the Rhodes clan.  W'papa is the other ski field on the northern side of Mt Ruapehu and the village is at the base.  A lot smaller than Ohakune.  

Had a look round the excellent visitors centre, had some lunch and then did a couple of short walks with the 4 kids.  First one was to an impressive waterfall.

Plan C

Another day of the mountain closed, another day of improvisation.   Jacqui suggested we drive down to Wanganui and have a look around.  It's 101km but man what a scenic drive.  Rolling green hills/mountains (note to self check the definiton for when a hill becomes a mountain), 2 great rivers snaking along the route (Mangawhero then Wanganui), roadside waterfalls (literally, roll your window down and feel the spray).  Just an amazing drive.  People say the North Island is not very scenic compared to the South but this and the nearby Mt Ruapehu beg to differ.

In Wanganui we caught the historic restored tram complete with conductors to click our tickets (who took their task very seriously!), a walk along the river, a couple of geocaches for the kids and then a drive out to the excellent black sand beach.

What a great day!

Plan B

Mountain is closed due to gale force winds.  Weather down in Ohakune also a bit miserable but we ventured out to do the Mangawhero Forest walk in the Tongariro National Park.

Really enjoyed it.

Waiting Game

Mountain closed due to gale force winds.

Waiting for rain to break so we can go for walk in Tongariro National Park.

NZ daytime free to air TV is almost 100% infomercials. 

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Better conditions today bro

Still super windy tho..

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