Scrubbed

Listening to: A Pixies best of. Trying to figure out if I really like the pixies, or just a few of their best known songs. Given how generally revered they are, there is a not small quotient of peer pressure to like them, however I am as yet undecided.

After getting all dressed up, we wound up with nowhere to go on Saturday. Weather like this caused our Tongariro crossing trek (info link here if you don't know what I am on about) to be abandoned. The wind was forecast to be gale force, and combined with the cloud (no visibility) and rain (no fun), the mountain would have been getting into the arena of the dangerous. Anyway, while we were having big doubts, the decision was made for us by the tour operator pulling the plug.

We made alternate plans....Anyway, in the picture above, Mt Ngauruhoe is under the lump of cloud on the left (above the road sign), and thats pretty much where the traverse track passes. Below is Mt Ruapehu looking as picturesque as possible under the circumstances.
Altered road sign, reflecting one of the regions other drawcards, and the ancient rivalry between skiers and boarders.

After some discussion over breakfast, and much finger pointing at a large map on the wall in the hostel, we decided on a quick stroll around nearby Lake Rotopounamu (info linky). Although as 'roto' means 'lake', really it should be just Rotopounamu, otherwise its like saying "Lake Lake".
Anyway, Rotopounamu was way easier than the crossing would have been. It even has a nice beach.
And feisty local ducks.
And pretty side tracks to get to the waters edge.
After a less than taxing two hours we retired to Tokaanu for another walk and relaxing swim in the hot pools, then meandered home, to try and do the Tongariro crossing another time.