Mt Ruepahu

Extreme sports and more rain

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July 16th 2008
After leaving Taupo in the pouring down rain we drove through the Tongariro national park but could not see Mt Ruapehu (Mt Doom) because of the cloud. Our first stop was Ohakune, land of the giant carrot. Ohakune is the carrot capital of NZ and has a monument to this in the shape of a giant carrot. Its also a big ski town, where we were hoping to be able to get a taste of skiing. That night we ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Rotorua

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The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year... ... read more