This weekend we had BIG plans. What I mean by that, of course, is we started planning earlier than Thursday night. And what do we get for our forward thinking? Insurmountable obstacles! We had wanted to hike the North Island’s Great Day Walk through Tongariro crossing and then go skydiving in Taupo. Once again a quick call to the department of conservation provided helpful and completely deflating news. Sure you can go to Tongariro the DOC employee informed me politely…if you don’t mind being the middle of a four day snow storm and if you have crampons, heavy weather gear etc. etc. etc. It’s always the same ol’story with these folks! While we pondered what to do with ourselves for two whole days off from Uni, we went to the Auckland Museum, and I found a few treasures!
Sir Edmund Hilary, the first man to climb Mt. Everest, was a Kiwi! They have the ice ax he used on display, accompanied by some really interesting video footage and interview segements. Apparently, Mr. Hilary didn't understand why everyone made such a big deal when he returned home...
Not sure why this stuffed elephant was in the museum, but ever since becoming a Jumbo I feel oblidged to take a picture whenever I see an elephant!
Joe with a Kiwi Boy Scout and Girl Scout, sporting stylin' uniforms! Note the box says "Girl Guide Biscuits" !
In lieu of Taupo, we settled on the Pinnacles in Coromandel for a two day tramp. I shouldn’t say settled though, as we ended up having a fantastic trip and glorious weather!
A more low-key tramp then previous, we drove only two hours outside of Auckland before we reached the trailhead. It is a popular track, and Saturday night we spent in an 80 bunk DOC hut that was nicer than some hostels! We tramped for about four hours on Saturday, mostly under tree canopy but with some great views of the Pinnacles. The next day was all downhill…literally not figuratively, and we had finished in the circuit in about three hours. We then took a quick visit to hot-sand beaches, where you can dig a hole in the sand that fills with hot water –at points hot enough to burn your feet! I am not informed about the “science” of it, but it was a fun thing to experience.
Miss and Love!
Maura
xoxoxoxo
Team Pinnacles, from left Henry, Kevin, Maura and Joe
View of the Pinnacles
Hot-Sand Beach
Coconuts! The street from hostel to town
Barack t-shirts!!
The coke side of tonga!
Sela's guest house, our accomodations for the trip
Getting a tour
The king's palace!
cows and palm trees
swimming in caves by candlelight
cows in the road!
An island where we went snorkeling!
Bike tour of the island on last day
tough bike gang
the jessie store!
Early morning drive to the trail start
Wild cows on the 3.5 hour gravel windy road.. to the water taxi..to the trail start...whew, getting to the middle of nowhere takes a lot of effort.
Allison and me on the bluffs, 2800m
View of the Lake
Muscles McGee
Kodak Moment!
FASHION
Marauiti Hut Day Two 
Leaving at 7am in the snow!! 
Wellington at night
colossal squid at the Te Papa museum!
Snow and Palm Trees!!!
