Craters of the Moon

A few years back I read a book about a geothermal area just north of Lake Taupo called Craters of the Moon and decided I wanted to go there. I was picturing it as being something like a rocky desert with big holes in the ground, no vegetation, no moisture. I was completely wrong.

The day that we ended up going was overcast and very foggy, it had been raining and it rained while we were there. The ladies at the front desk said it was a great place to see during the rain (I think they were wrong) because we really couldn’t see that much that wasn’t rendered invisible by the fog. Also it was hard to tell where the steam vents started and the fog ended – were those strands of white smoke heat rising or remnants of cloud just sitting there?

I was completely wrong on the vegetation count though – moss, lichen and small bushes everywhere. We did get to see a few interestings things, despite the fog, but I was very disappointed.

Towards the end you can either continue on flat ground or head up a hill to see over the park. Just as we started our ascent the rain came pouring down. My raincoat really wasn’t much use against the downpour, my friend had just bought a big plastic poncho that seemed to cover her quite well. So with the rain streaming down and the fog in the park, we didn’t see that much from the top. It was such an anticlimax after the years of waiting to see the place. I hope its sunny next time I go to Taupo.

Raglan

On New years day late in the afternoon we headed off on a family excursion to Raglan domain where we've been going every year since I can remember. When we were kids it was a big competition to be the first one to set sight on land, the road there has changed a lot since I was a kid.

We had a lovely dinner together with our extended family, thankfully all the new years crowds had gone home. My sister made a human head sand sculpture and my nephew made sand castles and then as quickly destroyed them. My cousin decided to create a flat sponge bob square pants in the sand.

As we were leaving the sun starting going down - and I caught some pictures of a lovely sunset over the water.

Whangarei Falls

My flatmate and I went on a road trip up north a few weeks ago. It was awesome! This was one of the tourist sites we visited - Whangarei Falls. We walked around it, took lots of photos and went through the bush nearby. I really love waterfalls.

Waitakaruru Arboretum

The Waitakaruru Arboretum is located near Matamata, following a turnoff on the road between Hamilton and Morrinsville. It is located on an old quarry site which has since been renovated (and I believe is still in the process of being worked on).

I stopped there on my way home from a road trip, paid my money and spent three hours walking around looking at everything.

Even though none of the pictures show it, the Arboretum is also a sculpture park. They have artists sculptures scattered throughout the park, some for sale and some just for display, some that are a permanent feature of the park and others that are only on a short term loan. At the end of the walk you can vote on your favourite sculpture, and the one with the most votes at the end of the season wins a cash grant for the sculpture.

Its a beautiful place and well worth a look. But only if you're fit, as it can be quite steep in places (and no vehicle access allowed).

Matapouri Beach

I remember the first time I ever went to see Matapouri beach. It was nearly New Years just before I went on my mission, and my friends and I had planned a road trip up to this beach that we didn't really know the location of (except that a family in our ward owned some land there and didn't mind us camping out). But we made it there eventually.

It was the best holiday ever, relaxing, fun and peaceful. New Years eve we had a ward get together with a dance and an swesome feed, then just before midnight we all walked down to the beach with our scorched almonds and sparkling grape juice, and watched the stars over the ocean as we welcomed in the new year.

A few years later, I ended up there for an impromptu YSA conference that had been put together in a week. We spent all afternoon at the beach, hanging out, listening to guitar music, swimming and sunbathing. Then when night came our leaders put together a bbq dinner for us and we finished off with a testimony meeting and singing. It was one of the best most spiritual nights of my life, sitting on the sand, listening to the waves crashing, listening to people talk about God while surrounded by his creations.

I have a cousin who lives in Matapouri, and I haven't had a chance to visit her yet. The last time I went up there on our road trip I ended up taking some photos though they certainly don't show the place in its best light. It was too cold and overcast to do much more than explore. But i can't wait to go there again.

Views of Tauranga

I always felt a connection with Tauranga. My dad was born there and we would go once a year or so to stay at his grandparents abandoned homestead, visit relatives, go to the beach and enjoy ourselves.

After my mission i got a job at a lab there, so I moved over that way for about 3 yrs. I liked my job, but i missed my family, and driving over the Kaimais back and forth every few weeks became draining, so i made the decision to move home where I knew I would be happier. These are a few photos from a lookout in the hills near Papamoa.

Whangarei Quarry Gardens

These photos were all taken at the Whangarei Quarry gardens. From the looks of the place I’d guess it was previously an open cast mine that they attempted to convert and beautify. I really liked the lake.

The only thing that concerned me there was a big hazard sign next to the arid (cactus) garden reading : Beware of large rocks falling, spiky toxic plants and possible land slides. Not the most reassuring thing to read. As soon as I saw it I turned back in the other direction.

I didn’t have long enough here because we arrived at 4:30pm and they were locking the gates at 5pm, but I think I did pretty well for only 20 mins with the pictures that I did get.