Tauhara Sunrise Lodge

Devon and I said good bye to Craig and Cris Cunningham on Friday, February 10th and headed 10 minutes around the lake to a spot called Acacia Bay. We spent 10 days at a bed and breakfast called Tauhara Sunrise working for Becky and Rob McEwin.  Becky is from Texas and Rob is from New Zealand.  They met in Texas years ago when Rob was on his OE (Overseas Experience:  something most kiwis do when they graduate from the University).  They lived in Texas for most of their young adult life until their kids went off to college and decided to move back to New Zealand  to open up a Bed and Breakfast.  They found a piece of property with an amazing view of Lake Taupo and Mt. Tauhara in the background.  The sun rises behind the mountain hence the name Tauhara Sunrise.  We enjoyed many amazing mornings looking out across the lake to Tauhara.

Enjoying the sunrise from the comfort of the hottub!

We arrived at our new worksite to find a note by the front door. "Gone to town be back around 2:30 -Becky (phone #). It being around 12:30 Devon and I went to explore a local cafe that we had heard was pretty cool, L'Arte.  A local artist has decorated the outside of the cafe with amazing ceramic sculptors.  Eddie and I wandered the property taking in all the interesting and mind blowing creative work.  Of course I enjoyed another delicious flat white inside the cute cafe.

The artist at work

We made our way back to the B&B to meet Becky and begin working right away.  Some guest had stayed in the Queen suite the previous night so the sheets needed washing and changing and the bathroom and kitchen needed cleaning.  It was easy and light work for our first night stay at Tahuara Sunrise.  Eddie and I did other odd jobs around the property the rest of the week; lots of yard work and house cleaning.  The lodge was putting on a concert featuring an Australian blues and folk guitarist the first Friday we were there.  It was pot luck style so Eddie and I helped Rob make pizzas in his wood fire oven in the back yard.  We made Chicken Cranberry and Bree, Lamb and Mint Yogurt, Mexican, and Thai that Eddie suggested. We used a peanut sauce recipe we got from Craig Cunningham.  They turned out great. We also helped clean up the deck and set up the marque the musician would be playing under.   We were in charge of checking people off the list and making sure they had paid.  Everyone brought a delicious dish to share.   We got to try lots of awesome food and enjoy a talented guitarist play his version of some well known songs.  It was a great night.  The rest of the week was dedicated to getting the house and yard ready for a wedding they were putting on the following weekend.  Eddie did heaps of yard work while I did heaps of cooking.  I made some awesome chocolates (Yes, I got the recipe) and a few other finger foods.  On the day of the wedding we heated up all the food and displayed everything nicely for the champagne hour after the ceremony before everyone left to the reception.  I wore a dress to the wedding that turned out to be the EXACT color of the bridesmaid's dresses.  I don't know if that is a good thing or if I confused a lot of people but it was funny.

I took Devon out to dinner on Valentine's Day to a little restaurant just a short walk down the hill from us. I order the Lamb Shank while classically Devon could not decide between the Moroccan Chicken and the Dori. She asked the waitress for her opinion in which she did not have and was not much help at all. Eventually she decided on the Chicken. A few minutes later a couple sitting close to us had the same question for the waitress. The waitress then told them that Devon had the same dilemma. The man asked Devon what she went for and she told him, the chicken, so he got the chicken. This sparked a conversation that lasted the rest of dinner.  Turns out Rob and Joy are from Canada traveling through New Zealand as a part of their retirement.  We told them all about our adventures and our blog, so hopefully Rob and Joy are reading! They informed us their children were also doing lots of traveling.  They very kindly bought Devon and I both a dessert in which we thoroughly enjoyed!

 Our food looked so good we just started eating it without even thinking about a picture until it was all gone!

We worked a full 8 hours one day so we could have a day off to do a 3 hour hike from Whaikipo to Kinloch.

The Cicada:  The distinct sound of New Zealand.  They can so loud you can't even hear yourself think

We took one afternoon to hike up Tauhara.  It was an awesome hike with an amazing view of Lake Taupo.  We also got to watch the beginning of  an amazing sunset and an approaching thunderstorm.  We ran down the hill just in time to escape the down pour.  We raced the storm back home and watched it come up the hill to Acacia bay.  We enjoyed watching the thunder and lightning the rest of the night.

 

 

 

My first HDR shot in awhile. No tripod or remote.

One afternoon we went to Huka Falls.  Beautiful.

Double rainbow all the way across the sky!!

Sunset  casting a shadow on Tauhara

Sunrise Tauhara Lodge

 We left Tauhara Sunrise on Monday morning February 20th and drove 4 hours to Wellington where we had our next adventure!

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.

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?