Hi all. We are currently back in Taupo at an internet cafe listening to the national championship game since we couldn't find it on tv anywhere. At halftime, things not looking so good, but we still have faith.
So, since last blog we have spent Xmas in Rotorua-a thermal valley complete with boiling mud pools, hot springs, and the smell of sulphur. We went through a couple of thermal parks and got to see some neat pools and springs results of volcanic activity many years ago.
We have found several hot streams that are great to soak in. From there we spent some time in Taupo hiking and viewing Huka Falls, and headed into Te Urewera National Park. We were woken up by an earthquake on our first morning camping, just a small one. Then we headed out on our first Great Walk around Lake Wakaremoana. 
It was a 4 day/3night hike so we spent New Years in the middle of this trek and were asleep by 10. The last day of this trip also marked 8th day without a shower. There were a couple swims mixed in though.
After this grueling trip, we headed to Gisborne for the beach (this is the place that got the 6.8 quake a couple weeks ago) , then down to Napier/Hastings/Hawkes Bay to some wineries. It wsa great, we only made it to 5 considering they all had free tastings of 6-8 of their wines.What's up next for us is
Mt Tongariro hike and a 3 day River trip down the Wanganui. We plan to cross to the South island within the next 4 weeks.More pics are up at http://picasaweb.google.com/stearnr and more to come.
1 comment:
I got your post card! I have been very stressed at work, and gymnastics parents killing me, and then I get home and there is your post card! Best part of my day. Every picture looks so beautiful. I wish I was there with you. The 3night hike sounds like fun. Although, I am pretty sure you would hear me complain alot about carrying the pack! Yeah, the OSU game better than last year. It was like the basketball game, the entire game, you believed there was a chance to come back. But, once again, we are No. 2. :( My sister is safely back from Africa. She left 2 days before all the riots in Niarobi with the election. Thank God. Her pictures are awesome too. Chuck and I are planning for a vacation with Jamie and Laura in Jamacia, beginning of May. When will you guys be back? You want to go to Vegas end of June with us? Or are we planning a girls weekend at Put-in-Bay? I can't wait to hear from you again. Miss you lots! Love you, Alicia
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