Monday, February 13, 2012

The Cunninghams

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012


Tuesday, February 7th - Friday Morning, February 10th

Our first night in Taupo was spent at a free camping area called Reid's Farm. I was expecting a pretty dumpy camping spot for free. I was quiet surprised to find that the area was very large with many loops and grassy areas to choose from as well as right next to a river. Not to shabby for free. It also has a reputation to be a little wild and attract some interesting people, probably because it's free. However, it was very peaceful except when our inebriated neighbors returned from town at midnight thirty.

The next day we went to Pak N Save which is a Kiwi supermarket. It's the cheapest place to buy groceries, kind of like a Winco but smaller. From there Alice and Audree took off to see Huka Falls while Dev and I headed to a couple's home where we would stay for the next few days. Enter Craig and Cris Cunningham.

Our connection with Craig and Cris started a couple months back in Chico back when Devon was working 3 jobs to sustain living and save for the trip. The story goes like this...

When I was working at Trader Joe's a customer came up to me and asked where the cornbread mix was. I showed him the giant display of cornbread mix that we happened to be standing next to. We had a good laugh and he told me it was the last time he would have the Trader Joe's Cornbread Mix for awhile.  I asked him why and he said he and his wife were retired and lived half the year in New Zealand so he wouldn't be in the US to get it.  Of course, I responded excitedly that I was going to be in New Zealand traveling during the same time that him and his wife would be there.  We ended up talking for a bit about why Eddie and I were traveling to NZ and what we were going to be doing.  He gave me some advice and answered some of my questions about car insurance, where to get a car, etc...   At the end of our conversation he gave me his e-mail address and phone number and said to call him when we were in New Zealand so Eddie and I did just that.  Craig and Cris kindly invited us into their home and spoiled us with great food and accommodation that we didn't even have to work for!

Devon and I had a great time getting to know Craig and Cris during our short stay with them. Our first night in Taupo we met up with Craig and Cris for dinner at an English Pub/ Restaurant on the shore called Jolly Good Fellows. I tried ordering the Lamp Shank but they were all out so I settled for the Pork, fried mashed potatoes, and a draught Guinness. Devon ordered the Fish and Chips. Both meals were very tasty. One night Craig prepared 2 dozen Green Lip Mussels for us. Which are very common and cheap, one of the only things go figure, in NZ but apparently typically pricey on any American restaurant menu. They were delicious and both Devon and I scarfed down more than our fair share. We also enjoyed Craig's 4 cheese zitti casserole and Cris's brownies. I plan on doing a post soon about the overall food culture in New Zealand.







We ventured the Tongariro Crossing during our stay with Craig and Cris.

Craig is an avid fisherman who gets out fishing about 3-4 times a week. I couldn't believe the size of some of the trout he claimed to be catching, even on a bad day. Luckily for him he always takes his digital camera and had plenty of pictures to prove it. To all those fisherman friends and family of mine: if you seriously love fishing than at some point in your life you must head to New Zealand and fish. It's unbelievable.

Cris is an avid quilter and belongs to the local quilting club. Cris happened to be hosting their monthly meeting at the house when Devon and I returned from the long day of hiking. We got to meet the lovely ladies of the Taupo Quilting Club. Don't quote me on that name, I just made it up, but it sounds right. It was very nice to be able to relax and not have to work right after camping and being on the rode for 5 days. Devon and I got to relax, eat, catch up on the blog, and get to know the Cunninghams.

I love hearing success stories about financially frugal but very happy people, especially Americans. I have to give a shout out to my parents, Margaret and Ed...hey guys, who I believe have done a wonderful job of being smart with their money and have set a great example for my sister and I. Such is also the story of the Cunninghams. Both were teachers, who actually met in Chico, small world. Cris grew up there and Craig got his teaching credential there. When they met Devon they were visiting Cris's mother. They were frugal with their money, spent responsibly, didn't purchase out of their price range, and worked hard. They retired and still follow the same philosophy. They dont have huge homes, fancy cars, or debt. Now, they live 6 months in Idaho and 6 months in New Zealand, living the dream and doing what they love. Fishing and Quilting. It was very refreshing hearing about two people who lived humble but very happy lives. Its easy to tell from their attitude and way they treat others, especially Devon and I, that they are very happy with life. I thought that their story was worthy of being posted in the blog. If you are reading this Craig and Cris, thank you again for so willingly offering up your home and hospitality to Devon and I. It does not go unappreciated or without notice.



Thursday, February 9, 2012

Tongariro Crossing


Wednesday, February 8th: 

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

The crossing spans 19.4 kilometers or 12.05 Miles for you back home. :) Devon and I woke up at 5:15 am and hit the road at 6:40. We had a nice hour long drive down the southeastern edge of the lake. We made it to the base camp at 7:40. We had arranged for a bus to transport us to the trail head and pick us up at the end of the day. The bus picked us up at 8 and we made it to the trail about 8:20 and started on our way. It was a beautiful hike starting in the Mangatepopo Valley headed up and through the active Mt. Tangariro and Mt. Ngauruhoe and then down to the other end of the park. With rest, lunch, and photo stops it took Devon and I 7 hours to finish the whole thing. It was great to get out into the wilderness and do some good 'ol mountain climbing. The only downside was the amount of people that were hiking it alongside us and some of the people were a little bit slow. However, it was a difficult uphill climb in the beginning that would make anyone a bit tired. The landscape was beautiful and I couldn't help but hum and whistle the Lord of Rings Theme for most of the hike. I have a few favorite moments in New Zealand so far and this hike definitely makes onto the list. I think by the end of the trip I will have quiet a few added to my list. 


For my fellow map lovers



Clouds over Ngauruhoe



This should be a Northface ad. Eddie: Northface fleece, shorts, and backpack. Devon: Northface jacket, pants, and backpack. 


Desolation becomes Beauty





I really enjoy this photo.



View of Blue Lake

The Emerald Lakes









Psalm 23:4 comes to my mind, " Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..."

The pose





Did we mention they are active volcano's?


Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Camping with Alice and Audree



We left Purangi Winery on Friday February 4th with Alice and Audree who needed a ride to Taupo.  We decided to go by way of Rotorua to spend some days camping and exploring the thermal volcanic activity the town is famous for.  All the Kiwis make jokes and call it "Rotenrua" because the town smells like rotten eggs from the sulfur or "RotoVegas" because of the amount of tourism.  We got to Rotorua around 8pm.  We found a DOC(Department of Conservation) campsite along a Lake Okareka that was $8 a person/night.  We ended up camping there for two nights. The third night we slept at a campsite near the Thermal Wanderland.  It cost $18 a night but that included free access to 6 hot water pools that are sourced from a natural hot spring.  We spent the last night camping in a free campsite in Taupo called Reid's Farm. Alice and Audree slept in the car every night while Eddie and I slept in the tent. 









We spent about an hour taking pictures by leaving the lense open for about 4 minutes.  Eddie would draw things with the flash light and we tried to stay still the whole time.  It was hilarious.


The lake we camped at the first two nights









Between us 4, we had heaps of stuff


Trying to work together to pack up the tent


The first day in Rotarura we decided to check out a small free thermal park and go on a hike near some rapids.  Here are some pictures:

Hot water pool at the free thermal park



Free Shower Provided by Nature
Taking a shower in the Rapids







                                                                                            



Rafters we saw going down the rapids, something Eddie and I want to do soon


The second day we drove half way to Taupo and went to the Thermal Wonderland.  It is an area that has a lot of volcanic activity.  We rushed to get there by 10:30 am to see the geyser go off then walked the trails to all the amazing sights.


Champagne Pool


Audree, me and Alice in from of a lime green lake

Eddie loves to catch me at my best moments

Eddie and I in front of the Champagne pools

Another bright green lake



After the Thermal Wonderland we went across the street to a campsite that includes free access to hot pools they have funneling from a natural source.  We sat in hot pools the rest of the day and the next morning before driving to spot called Karosene Creek where the water fall was hot.  Then we drove to Taupo to have our next awesome experience with Craig and Cris.

One of the pools at the campsite
They run the water from the natural source down this long ramp to cool the water before going into the pools

The source of the hot water bubbling out the ground at 212 degrees F, about 98 degrees C

Steam rising from the creak through the ferns
Karosene Creek, hot waterfall for FREE!