Dennis Dixon is heading West!: New Zealand 2017 - Day 9: Mangawhero Falls, Tawhai Falls, Waitomo Caves

Friday, February 24, 2017

New Zealand 2017 - Day 9: Mangawhero Falls, Tawhai Falls, Waitomo Caves

Friday, Feb 24 - Beautiful Day driving from Lower Hutt (Wellington) up to Mangawhero Falls and Tawhai Falls in Tongariro National Park, then Waitomo Caves for the night:

An early start on the North Island:

Then into Wellington for a 9 AM pickup:

of my BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TICKET!!

I got Wendy a seat in the stands, but I "had to" be down in the General Admission Standing

We then drove north on Hwy 1, with beautiful views of the Tasman Sea:

The island in the distance is Kapiti Island, "one of New Zealand's oldest and most important nature reserves."

Peanut Butter-and-Honey sandwiches in the car, and our first views of Mount Ruapehu:

Mount Ruapehu (or just "Ruapehu") is in Tongariro National Park, which is listed as one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Although "mountain climbing" is a bit out of my league down here, we are going to see 2 waterfalls in the Park; the first is Mangawhero Falls:

a little wispy because it is the end-of-summer down here.

Then driving over-and-around to Tawhai Falls, which was WENDY'S FAVORITE!!

[click here for Wendy's video]

Through more beautiful New Zealand countryside

Until we got to Waitomo Caves (Wendy looking up at our room):

and the view from the balcony to where we had dinner across the street:

We went out after dinner, in the dark, to see glowworms in the forest - but they don't photograph very well. Thank you God for all your wonderful adventures today!

Music today - more music from my green nano:

Hot Tuna - The Best of ..., 1998 (2 cds)