Waihi and more

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On the 19th we headed to Waihi to check out the gold mine that is still in operation. The Martha Mine produces about 80% of NZ gold. We could walk along the top of the mine and look down into the huge pit that they have dug away. Dave liked the big machinery!

From there we headed to Karangahake Gorge where we did a walk through old gold mining tunnels. The walk we did was called the Windows Walk, because the wall of main tunnel had been cut out at different spots along it so the waste rock could be dumped out into the Ohinemuri river 200ft below. It was a really good walk, with lots of chances for Dave to get lost in all the old mining tunnels if I’d let him.

From there we headed to Tauranga to spend the night with Kate (Dave’s sister) and Lance (soon to be brother-in-law). We went out for dinner, and then headed to a bar to check out a band. The next day Dave and I did a walk around Mt. Maunganui, which is an extinct volcano. After that we headed back to Edgecumbe to Dave’s parents for their 30th wedding Anniversary party.

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Photos

Martha Mine
Trucks and Diggers

Windows Walk
View from one of the "windows"