Tongariro National Park

The trip from Taupo to Tongariro National Park was only 100 km so we took our time leaving town. We needed to visit a grocery store to stock up on supplies for out hike tomorrow and a few other snacks and necessities. We also had to find a pharmacy to get some disinfectant ointment for a cut I managed to get on my foot while swimming yesterday. Want to make sure I don't get an infection.

Downtown Taupo was very nice, one of the better towns we have seen outside of Auckland.

Isn't this the coolest McDonalds? A DC3 incorporated into the kid's playground.

The drive to Tongariro was very scenic as we approached the mountains.

We drove the road to the ski area and did a short hike up a trail to get some photos of Mt Ruapehu and area.

I just can't imagine this as a major ski area (they have over 70 runs). It looks like the surface of the moon with all of the volcanic rock strewn about.

Monte the Moose loved the fresh mountain air!

We arrived at the Adventure Lodge in the town of National Park at around 4:00 pm. Jason helped us get sorted out for our shuttle bus to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike tomorrow. An interesting motel where everyone is a hiker/backpacker.

Jason pointed us to a very nice restaurant in this remote village. It used to be the train station but is now a "classy" restaurant where the clientele wear trekking clothes and hiking boots. I had my first meal of NZ lamb and it was delicious.

Got to get to bed early tonight for our 20 km hike tomorrow.

Oh yeh, here is the link to the video of last night's sunset....

http://youtu.be/wocQ47eIYE4