Saturday, December 25, 2010

24 Dec 2010 – Taurewa

Well the forecast was right – it is raining again.   As we could not decide last night what our plans would be we finally had to make a decision.  We knew that today we would go up to the visitor’s center in Whakapapa Village (about 21 km up the road) and check out the Tawhai Falls and the Taranaki Falls.   So we decided that we would stay here another night but because of Christmas Day we felt that it would be wise to stay an extra 2 nights.  This area has lots of things to do if the weather is good so we will have little problem filling in the time – or we hope not – providing the weather improves.
So we headed off to the village to check out the falls.  The Tawhai Falls are about 5 minutes walk from the road.  We arrive to a sprinkling of ran and two tourist buses sitting beside the road.  Regardless we wandered down the trail to see a waterfall well worth taking the time to see.  We had to scramble over a bit of rock to get the picture and this bothered us a bit since the rocks were wet but you do what you have to do for the pictures.

Then we headed to the visitor’s center.  We wanted to find out if we had cell reception here so we could check emails and try to contact Lewis.  I worked on this while Wes popped into the visitors center.  Wes got the information he needed and I was able to log in and get my email off to Lewis.  By now the rain is more than a light sprinkle but we are going to head off regardless.  We have our rain gear and we are prepared.
We head up to the trail to take us on the circuit trail that goes to the Taranaki Falls.  At the falls we can follow the trail further to go to the Lower and Upper Tama Lakes.   As we are heading along the trail we note that the mist is getting heavier and our visibility is decreasing.  By the time we got to the falls we were definitely limited in visual and our pictures are not as great as I would have liked.  By the way, the old camera has decided to work again and I am wondering if the problem was because the dampness finally caused the electronics to stop working.    After the heat of yesterday it has dried up so now I have two cameras to work with.  I took the old one because of the rain and am using it leaving the new one in the dry camper.

As we left the falls, we met a young man who had just returned from the Lower Tama Lake and he told us that it is very little visibility (he could see nothing on the lake) and that the wind and driving rain made the trek uncomfortable.  We decided to wait until we got to the junction ourselves to determine if we would turn to the lake or return to the van.  As we debated this another couple came back from lake and reported the same thing and recommended not worth the 4 hour walk (2 hr return).  We have decided that we would go back to the van today and if the weather improves try to get to the lake tomorrow.
So we head back to the van and with some extra time on our hands decide to see if we can get skype to work and call Lewis.  As it turns out we were able to get Skype to work and we had a quick conversation with Lewis (the kids are with him right now) and set up a time to Skype with him and the kids on Christmas day computer to computer (meaning it is a free long distance call with video).   By the way, this means Christmas Day in SK which will be Boxing Day here.
At the camp kitchen tonight we are surprised at home many people have come in today all hoping to do the Crossing tomorrow – but the forecast is rain and with it being Christmas Day there is little chance but weather if fickle here so who knows.  We met a couple from Vancouver Island and have spent a couple of hours chatting with them.  They are biking around New Zealand and have some very interesting stories.  However as we chatted we noted the sunset (no sun all day but now we have a sunset – go figure) that has a brilliant red sky light.  It is a very good way to finish this day.  Well all there is time for me to say now is Merry Christmas all and a good night.

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