Some of you, my dear blog followers, have asked, "What do you do day-to-day while Miles is at the Institute? Here's a partial list of what I did during the last two weeks:
*participated in Zumba classes at the University Sport Center
*volunteered to help a couple of English language students practice English conversation
*lunched with a couple of new contacts I met through friends from Israel
*went to the excellent Auckland Art Museum
*attended an outdoor Christmas concert with Miles in the Domain (park)--HUGE crowds who went in spite of the rain
* went with Miles twice to a hand specialist (his hand needed to be looked at since his accident in September.) The therapist was excellent and manipulated his hand which improved his fine motor abilities. He's very encouraged that in time and with a lot of exercise, his situation will improve.
As pleasant as it is to wander around Auckland, the fun really began yesterday when we got our rental car and started on our 2 1/2 week "vacation" around the North Island. The Institute is closed during the Christmas and New Years holidays, so Miles can't work. Well, actually, he can work on the computer any place and will work some while we're away. But mostly it's pure FUN. (Remember, Miles, I have my eye on you and you can't work too much!)
Day 1, destination Taupo. This is usually a 4-hour drive south of Auckland. But we had the whole day to get there and took the LONG way around. It ended up being about a 9-hour drive!
Our first stop was at Raglan, a small town on the west coast known for great surfing beaches. It was really charming and we ate delicious fish and chips (made from New Zealand kumara potatoes--a type of sweet potato) by the wharf.
With the advice given to us at the local I-Site (excellent information centers found in 80 different locations around the two islands), we stopped at a lookout along the coast to see the surfing beach.
Next was a stop at the Te Toto Gorge for a look-see. Great cliffs and an amazing view.
After driving through volcanic valleys with velvety green hills (and LOTS of sheep and cows), we took a short trail to Bridal Veil Falls. This 55-meter fall was just beautiful and you can view the falls at 3 different levels: top, middle and bottom. Spectacular!
We got to our motel in Taupo around 8:30pm--we were tired but very happy. What a great day!
The region around Taupo is known for a lot of geo thermal activity. At the beginning of our hike the next day along the Waikato River to Huka Falls, we sat in some thermal pools called the Taupo Spa Park which warm the very cold river water. Ahhhh.....very relaxing and HOT or COLD depending on where you want to be.
What can I say about Huka Falls except it's one of the most exciting and beautiful waterways I've ever seen. These falls are the largest on the Waikato River and are the most visited natural attraction in New Zealand. At the falls, the Waikato River which is normally 100m wide, is squeezed through a 20m wide gorge and over a 20m drop. Every second up to 220,000 liters of water gushes through the gorge
and shoots out over 8m beyond to create a beautiful blue/green
pool. This is enough water to fill 5 Olympic sized swimming pools in 1 minute. Just amazing!
*participated in Zumba classes at the University Sport Center
*volunteered to help a couple of English language students practice English conversation
*lunched with a couple of new contacts I met through friends from Israel
*went to the excellent Auckland Art Museum
*attended an outdoor Christmas concert with Miles in the Domain (park)--HUGE crowds who went in spite of the rain
* went with Miles twice to a hand specialist (his hand needed to be looked at since his accident in September.) The therapist was excellent and manipulated his hand which improved his fine motor abilities. He's very encouraged that in time and with a lot of exercise, his situation will improve.
As pleasant as it is to wander around Auckland, the fun really began yesterday when we got our rental car and started on our 2 1/2 week "vacation" around the North Island. The Institute is closed during the Christmas and New Years holidays, so Miles can't work. Well, actually, he can work on the computer any place and will work some while we're away. But mostly it's pure FUN. (Remember, Miles, I have my eye on you and you can't work too much!)
Day 1, destination Taupo. This is usually a 4-hour drive south of Auckland. But we had the whole day to get there and took the LONG way around. It ended up being about a 9-hour drive!
Our first stop was at Raglan, a small town on the west coast known for great surfing beaches. It was really charming and we ate delicious fish and chips (made from New Zealand kumara potatoes--a type of sweet potato) by the wharf.
Miles at the Raglan wharf (the color of his shirt matches the water!)
With the advice given to us at the local I-Site (excellent information centers found in 80 different locations around the two islands), we stopped at a lookout along the coast to see the surfing beach.
Gorgeous colors of the surfing beach
Next was a stop at the Te Toto Gorge for a look-see. Great cliffs and an amazing view.
View from top of Te Toto Gorge
Te Toto Gorge looking towards the other direction
After driving through volcanic valleys with velvety green hills (and LOTS of sheep and cows), we took a short trail to Bridal Veil Falls. This 55-meter fall was just beautiful and you can view the falls at 3 different levels: top, middle and bottom. Spectacular!
Bridal Veil Falls from the top...
...middle...
...and bottom
We got to our motel in Taupo around 8:30pm--we were tired but very happy. What a great day!
The region around Taupo is known for a lot of geo thermal activity. At the beginning of our hike the next day along the Waikato River to Huka Falls, we sat in some thermal pools called the Taupo Spa Park which warm the very cold river water. Ahhhh.....very relaxing and HOT or COLD depending on where you want to be.
Getting a good soak in the thermal pool
Waitako River
Huka Falls
Lots of power!
Couldn't resist a shot of these spectacular flowers we saw on our hike back to our car. Another great day!
Bell-shaped flowers
What an impressive "I DID" list, Laurie. You certainly seized every moment. Your oh so interesting route to Lake Taupo sounded and looked wonderful. Then Huka Falls. We were also very impressed by this wonder. New Zealand is so full of magnificent vistas, even awesome does not seem adequate for all the gems this country offers. What gorgeous purple flowers, too. May you continue to have tons of fun as you explore New Zealand's nooks and crannies.
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