Our first stop, the airport
bar on Easter Island
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Our next stop, the Shakespeare
brewpub in downtown Auckland
(also our hotel).
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The West invades
New Zealand
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A dredger (note the
buckets) at the
Maritime Museum
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1950's in New Zealand
looks a lot like what it
was like in the NE US
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In the SkyTower, looking
down through the glass floor.
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Refreshment at the
SkyTower
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Auckland from the ferry
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The lighthouse in the
harbor
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Rikki on the ferry
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Across the harbor
looking back towards
Auckland
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On the train to National
Park
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Looking out of the back
of the train
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Chris enjoying the view
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Starting the hike
(northern circuit)
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Our first bridge
crossing and waterfall
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Rikki in front of Mt Ngauruhoe
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Chris (looking SE).
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Rikki in the forest.
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Our first night at the hut.
A long first day, right
off the train and then
a 6 hour hike.
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Sunset at the hut.
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Chris practicing his
orienteering skills
he picked up at PSU.
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Rikki
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Down in the bogs in
the valley below.
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Our second hut, Outere
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Inside the hit, a heater
and bunks.
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Plus a kitchen and
running water
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Relaxing by a cliff
overlooking a waterfall.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers
hat kept Rikki's head
warm on the cold nights
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Chris and Rikki
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Close up
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The only barcalounger
in sight.
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Mt Ngauruhoe at
sunset.
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At sunrise.
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Off we go again.
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We did not alter the
colors of this amazing
picture of one of the
Emerald Lakes
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Chris double-checking
the map, hoping we don't
really have to clumb that
trail nehind him.
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Looking down at the
Emerald lakes
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Yes, we had to do that
climb.
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As close as we get
to Mt. Ngauruhoe.
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The top of our climb
(about 1500 m).
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On our way out of.
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Sunset over the
Volcano.
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Terrain change
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Follow the sign
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Rikki and Mt. Doom
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Chris waiting at the
Train Station
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Our train South.
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One of the many viaducts
(scary tall bridges).
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At the backpackers
(Moanna lodge) in
Plimmerton (near
Wellington).
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The beach.
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Finally, a hot
breakfast!
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Chris and Rikki
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Chris relaxing before
dinner (Indian food)
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Deer farms
(mmmmm, venison)
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Our B&B in
Waitomo
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Our room
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A nice bottle of wine
at sunset before dinner
(mmmm, fish and chips)
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There are a lot of
sheep here too!
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The next morning
before our caving
adventure.
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The cave entrance
from below
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Our group of 8
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Rikki starting her
rappel
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Next is Chris
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Taking a break in the cave (we're on the left)
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Back on the surface
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