Around the Tongariro Area

Trip Start Aug 01, 2005
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Trip End Dec 15, 2005


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Flag of New Zealand  , North Island,
Thursday, November 17, 2005

With the weather forecast dismal, I don't even bother getting out of bed. The Aussie in my room gets up at 5:30 to prepare, but when he comes back around 8:30, I know the entire region is closed (nobody will drop you off because of the risks). I lounge about, read, use the Internet most of the morning. The Aussie mentions he's going to Auckland on Saturday with his rental car, so I offer to split gas with him. I immediately cancel my $60 bus ride. I don't know how much he wants, but it occurred to me that if he charges anything less than or equal to the bus, it will be a better deal. He's going out with his rental car to explore the area later so I'm going with him for that as well.

We drive around the mountain area most of the afternoon with me constantly falling asleep in the car. Eventually we make our way to Wakapapa village and head up the mountain road to the ski area to check it out. The season ended two weeks ago so everything is dismantled and not many people are around. We grab some food from the cafe and check out the ski shop. It's supposedly the biggest ski area in New Zealand, but it pales in comparison to anything in Colorado's main areas.

Back at the hostel, I make two trips to the fish and chips place next door. They've won some fisn'n'chips awards and it shows. It's so cheap too. NZ$3.30 (about US$2)for a big piece of fish and some thick fries. I burn some more time on the Internet and reading and then its off to bed. Tomorrow, hopefully, the mountain will be conquered.
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