Late September saw Karen and I running away from life for a few days and heading to the central plateau. Sightseeing, Army Museum and peace and quiet high on the list. We decided early on to visit Waiouru (my home for five years) and then return north checking out Tukino before settling in a night of (relative) luxury at Tokaanu. The real adventure would start the next day with trekking south, camping trailer in tow, in search of the perfect winter campsite. We found it early and there we stayed, nestled in the lee of the mighty Kaimanawa Ranges.
Too much food, almost enough wine by the fire, dead to the world sleep, late rises and absolutely nothing to do but enjoy the solitude (in great company of course) and recharge.
Was it perfect? I think so. The photos say it all.
Cloud shrouding Ngaruhoe as seen from the Tukino Ski field road. The view from the mountain was spectacular despite the atrocious weather in Waiouru and north to the Three Sisters.
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I think Robert Frost would be happy to call this 'the road less travelled'. The whole area is criss-crossed with roads and tracks originally put in to build and then service the hydro schemes constructed by immigrant Italian workers last century. Pity you can't hear the bird and animal life in the background.
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. . . . and that's what we found. Five star accommodation in Paradise!
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And people pay money for this? In the lee of the Kaimanawa Ranges. Stopped the weather nicely. . . .
. . . . but it couldn't stop the frost. -4 degrees in the tent on the last morning. That first cup of coffee was about as close to heaven as we could get I reckon, . . Oh and the french toast, bacon, bananas and maple syrup for breakfast of course, all served up with a helping of sunshine.
The worst part of any trip? Heading home of course! But with more adventures to be had, and more of this awesome country to explore, it just whets the appetite.
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WooHoo!
Thanks for sharing your romantic escape. Good story & lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteTrev/Jan@RovingRivets