Greetings from Middle Earth!

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Hi all!
We attempted to send a blog last night but our wireless card must have run out of minutes just at the wrong time. :-(

Yesterday, we did the Volcanic Loop and ventured into Middle Earth. We were right there with Mt. Doom, climbed the rocks of Mordor and even visited the Ithilien Camp with the waterfall and beech trees. One of the volcanoes was even venting steam yesterday - yikes.

It's Wednesday morning right now and we have an easy day of laundry, extreme putt putt and going out to dinner at the local Italian restaurant. Turangi was a government town formed with workers to build the dams and half the residents were Italian. We figure this might be a good restaurant to try.

We check out of here in the morning and head towards Wellington. Will stay there a night and then start working our way up and around the island.

Hope all is well and that you're enjoying some of our adventures.
Love,
Aunt Susan, Nana and Pop

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Photos

Mt. Doom
This is Mt. Ngawaka, the mountain used as Mt. Doom. Not so "doomy" right now...

Mordor
The rocks and cliffs of Mordor.

Mordor Battle
Aunt Susan looking mean at Mordor.

Above the falls
Nana and Pop above the falls of the Ithilien Camp.

Waterfall
At the Ithilien Camp (Tawhai Falls in real life).

Grand Chateau
Built in 1929 as a deluxe homebase for skiiers.

Grand Salon
Nana and Pop relax in the Grand Salon where the Queen Mum has also relaxed.

This is NOT Wedgie
As we were driving home, we came across this sign. At first we thought the Dept. of Transportation had a sense of humor but discovered it was just graffiti. :-)

Comments

[Mark]

Kiwi
Love that sign with the Kiwi! Looks like your trip is going well. Have fun!

[Lisa]

Gollum, Orcs and Queen Mum oh my!
Looks like you guys are having a ball! Let's see a pic of Wedgie...