Blissfully Peaceful

FINALLY, THE CAMP
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For several days folks at Tauhara wanted to know where the grannies were going next.  The answer depended on whether we wanted to join up with some previous wwoofers; whether we wanted to take a small break from wwoofing; whether we wanted to continue on our trek to the north; or whether we wanted to find a Maori elder near Lake Waikaremoana.  Even if the elder was away, we decided to go see this land where only 20 % of the New Zealand population ever ventured.  Advice came from all directions on how to get to Lake Waikaremoana, the circuitous but safe route or the shortened but more dangerous route.  We chose the safe route which brought us back to Napier.  This was the city that was destroyed by fire in the late 1930's and the majority of the buildings were rebuilt with the art deco theme that was popular then.

PEACEFUL
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It was a very long drive in our small cramped little Toyota as we passed through many tiny little towns along the mountain roads.  It was also cold and rainy and it would be getting dark soon.  Finally we are on the last leg of the drive and hopefully approaching the camp.  We start a descent down to the lake that I am praying is there because we are now on a very narrow gravel road; there are no cars in front of us or behind us; and you know who is getting just a little bit nervous.   Finally a car appears going in the opposite direction from us, hugging the mountain side of the road so that we could pass.  We were so stunned by it's sudden appearance that we do not think to ask if the camp was down below.  If before I thought we were going into the heavens,  this time I would swear we were going into the bowels of the earth.  Even Cathy was getting nervous.  Another car came pass and this time we asked if the camp was there; we were assured that it was; so on we went.  We got there just before dusk and before us was one of the most beautiful sights that I've ever experienced.  It was a large lake shrouded by low clouds of fog, native bush to the sides and back with just a few boats wintering in calm waters.  Peace and Tranquility is what I would write on the bottom of the picture in my memory book.

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY

WE COULD HAVE STAYED HERE ANOTHER WEEK
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Cathy and I stay here for 3 days.  We walk on the paths and then it rains; see the falls in the area and then it rains; and chat with the park ranger and then it rains.  Cathy is trying to find someone to teach her fly fishing but is having no luck because it won't stop raining.  We learn that the Maori elder we are looking for has just gone to Napier;  we laugh because we've just decided to take the  "dangerous" route to the north instead of safely back tracking to Napier and then going north.