New Zealand, North Island, November 18-20, 2007

We drove south from Auckland to Lake Taupo, part of New Zealand’s volcanic region, to do some hiking and experience local Maori culture. One day Georgia did the Aratiatia Rapids Walk from Taupo via the Huka Falls, and Todd took a bus to Tangariro National Park to hike the Tongariro Crossing.


Waiketo River before Huka Falls en route to Aratiatia Rapids


Mt. Ngauruhoe (“Mt. Doom” in “Lord of the Rings”) with Mt. Ruapehu in background from summit of Mt. Tongariro


Emerald Lakes on Tongariro Crossing

Moving north to Rotorua, advertised in the late 19th Century as the place to take the waters in the South Pacific, we visited a thermal park with Maori cultural exhibitions and a long abandoned bath house.


The Pohutu Geyser area


Maori warrior “greeting” tourists at Te Puia, Rotorua


Former bath house and spa in geothermal area, now Museum of Art and History, Rotorua (Spa opened in 1908 by U.S. Admiral Sperry, commander of the Great White Fleet)