5/31/2008 Traversing the Thermal Highway.....

First stop was at Orakei Korako the "place of adorning" by the Maori people, where the geothermal activity was very inspiring and surreal. The morning was cool and the steam hung low over the areas as the pools bubbled and spewed the hot water in the air and over the silica beds which were various colors due to the algae and minerals in the water. Our journey took us past bubbling pools, overlooks, geysers and then on a walk through the bush to the Rautapu Cave, past mud pools, and back through the forest. It was an amazing and very spiritual place. We were lucky to enjoy it almost by ourselves. One thing we have discovered traveling in this "off season" for the area is that there are no crowds or lines to contend with. It has been so great to be able to take our time at all that we have seen and just enjoy. Driving back through Taupo, we grabbed some sandwiches at Subway (yes, more American food) and drove south towards the trio of mountains in Tongariro National Forest, one of which was Mt. Ngaurhoe (Mt. Doom in the Lord of the Rings trilogy). We found what we believed was it; and it had snow on it!!! Surprising because the elevations of the mountains are only between 7,000 and 8,500 feet. We found the Park office and made plans to come back up tomorrow to take a 2km hike to Tanaki Falls and walk part way up into Mt. Doom. Only hiccup this day was a flat tire on the way down (nearly dusk and Mike was changing the right rear tire on the side of a very narrow, winding road!) but he managed just fine. This is the 2nd tire he has helped change (one at Bill's farm) so I hope it's not an omen; we still have 4 days left!