We are now in the town of Wanganui staying at a hostel. We decided to stay another night so we could walk around today and see the art museum and the natural history museum. We like the feel of this town (about the size of Corvallis)

Visiting our Friends and camping at the Ruatiti Domain

On our tramp around the mountain we met a Department of Conservation worker that invited us to his house over the Easter holiday. He lives with his wife on a farm and raises sheep, cattle and red deer. Here is a picture of him and Steve getting a stag ready to load because he sold it to the neighbor. These deer are sold for meat. It was quite the rodeo.

Here is a close up of the stag. The antlers have been cut off for the velvet. I wish I had others pictures of the farm and our friends but forgot to take them. Malcom is eager to come hunting with Dad.

Contemplating the clouds while Steve goes fishing.

A view of our little camp at Ruatiti Domain, a secret fishing spot that Malcom told Steve about. We love our new tent. I cooked over the open fire.

OH, was he happy or what? The big one weighed five pounds. We had the smaller one for breakfast the next day and split the big one between two evening meals. Steve always gets a fish for my birthday, even in New Zealand!

Tongariro National Park

We are back from our tramping in Tongariro National Park doing the "round the mountain" loop. It was a challenging, rugged six day hike circling the Ruapehu volcano that is one of three volcanoes in this range. Five nights in darling little huts perched in the perfect location for a gorgeous view. The route varied from highly manicured, well maintained to wild and woolly through forest (like little hobbits), desert, and high alpine areas. The weather was fantastic.

We now have tight buns, sunburned lips and sore ankles. Many days I felt like a nimble mountain goat picking my way over the lava rocks and other times like a plodding old nag. This difference was not only dependant on the terrain put also on the previous night's sleep and the number of ibuprofen consumed.

One of our huts along the way. Two out of the five we had to ourselves. This one was our favorite called Mangahuehu

The Mountain of Doom from the movie.

A swinging bridge that was destroyed last year from the volcano erupting and had to be rebuilt.

One of the more difficult descents that we had to pick our way along.

Daddy making pancakes on the wood stove. They were quite delicious with powdered milk mixed with some maple sugar and water for the topping.

Lake Taupo was one of the places we passed on our way south to Tarangi where we are staying the night at the extreme backpackers hostel. We are still getting used to the high prices for everything. Tomorrow we head into the bush for a five day hike around a volcano (can't remember the name)

We had dinner at a great Turkish restaurant that first night in Aukland. Steve was uptight being in the big city. We stayed at the snow and surf hostel downtown because it was near the bus station.
The next morning we were on the eight am bus south. He was much happier when we began seeing pastoral sights and passed a piece of farm equipment on the highway.

A Qantas plane

Reading New Zealand books in the Sydney airport while waiting four hours for our flight. It seemed so odd to arrive at 7 am on Wednesday the 12th after a 14 hour flight leaving Monday the 10th. Crossing a dateline messes with the timing.

Father waiting in the Portland airport before we took off on March 10. We were sitting next to a marker in the floor that said it was 6,888 miles to Aukland.

We arrived in AU around seven am on Wednesday morning after a great flight. Since the plane was not full, we had three seats between us and were able to get some sleep during the night. The food was actually quite good. 
We are feeling pretty chipper after our 15 hour trip. The wait in the 
airport is about four hours and then off to NZ. We'll be in touch then with some photos.

I finally finished the rain suits and Steve is hoping it doesn't rain too much since his jacket is a bit snug. I should have made sure he inhaled deeply when I measured his chest for the pattern. Oh well, he won't get wet as long as he doesn't breath while wearing it.
We will pull out of here as soon as the laundry is dry....right on schedule.

While I was busy sewing the last minute touches on our rain suits, Walker created a fabulous send off dinner for his parents. The garlic mash potatoes were divine along side barbequed kabobs marinated in his new slama jama party in your mouth sauce. The sauce was also drizzled over steamed veggies and barbequed red onions. We were all in shock as Walker has never cooked a meal before. The news is out- Walker is hot in the kitchen.