Showing posts with label taupo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taupo. Show all posts

Monday, September 21, 2009

Choice


I know I have barely posted any photos of my spring break yet. However, I had to take a break from sorting through them to show you a photo from this weekend. I took this out of the car window while driving through Taupo on the way back from our IFSA-Butler adventure weekend. In the background you can spot Mt. Ruapehu and Mt. Ngauruhoe (left to right).

We left Friday night to head down to the Tongariro National Park region for our adventures. On Saturday we were supposed to do the Tongariro Crossing; however, the weather had other plans for us. Instead we did a less intense tramp, but it was still fun (however, I don't have many photos from the tramp due to clouds & very numb hands). After the tramp we went caving, which had to be one of the coolest experiences I've had in NZ so far. We split up into small groups and headed into a cave with a guide. We had to use our own flashlights and we got to see glowworms without other tourists breathing down our necks (like Waitomo). However, the best part was when our guide left my group in the cave, telling us to find our own way back (by following the water). We had to crawl through minuscule openings and extremely cold water. Gratification was ours when we managed to climb up a waterfall in the dark and through the smallest opening I think I've ever gotten my body through and saw light. We ended the day with a soak in some hot pools (as we do after every event), some homemade pizzas, and great conversations. As for Sunday, I'll write about that tomorrow.

PS: You may remember my other posts from skiing at Whakapapa: Blessed, Look Directly Into It, Break Time, Perfect, An Ad, Drama, and Watch Out.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Watch Your Step


So, I am posting today's photo way late, but I decided that since 99.37% of the people who check this blog are in the states, it didn't really matter (it's still tomorrow for y'all). Anyway, I took this photo at the Wai-o-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland (I didn't make up the wonderland part, I promise). It was really cool. Not nearly as large as Yellowstone but it had it's own wonders to offer. It was crazy to see huge trees growing within inches of over 100 degree (celcius) water. Also, New Zealand is not like the States... you could get as close as you wanted (though there were a few warning signs), but we decided to maintain a good distance - no need to risk my life before I've gotten a chance to skydive and bungy jump (I had to mom). I was also amazed at the steam coming from every part of the ground, even on the drive to and from the park we passed farm land that had geothermal activity just right off the side of the road... it was crazy (one of the free city parks also had numrous geothermal pools... most of which you could try for yourself). It was a really fun day and I really enjoyed learning about the formation of it all in comparison to Yellowstone and learning about the impact of the eruption of Mt Tarawera. However, I will say that the smell of sulphur has stayed with me far too long...


Also, good news for Greenville: http://upstatefilms.wordpress.com
& way to go CC: HuffingtonPost (Top Greenest Colleges)

Tribute Video for Iran Protesters (great song and inpiring images): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo3-paRB2No
& videos from the Global Day of Action (July 25th): http://united4iran.org
Things are changing, keep watching: Huffington Post