Gliding Plane over Taupo

Picture of Taupo from 5000 feet. I got to pilot the plane over Mount Tauhara and into a thermal. In no time we went from 3,000 feet to over 4,000 feet. There was an isolated cloud (and thermal) just at Tauhara. The picture is of Taupo at the NE corner of Lake Taupo looking South. Normally the Mountains are quite clear and are in the back centre of the photo. The Waikato River is in the foreground draining the lake.

Gliding

Didn't know gliding planes could do it, but they can loop upside down and do aerial tricks. This is the end of a spin. Had trouble taking pictures because there were 2 G's and I couldn't lift my hands.

Skiing New Zealand

I have a season pass for 2 fields in the middle of the North Island. This is Whakapapa Ski Field. About 2100 m high (6,400 feet).

Whakapapa Ski Field

The ski field 1 hour South of Taupo. Still the odd rock on the side, but beautiful powder and weather the day I was up there.

New Zealand All Blacks vs Lions

After the All Blacks dealt to the Lions, partying on the Princess Wharf on Aucklands waterfront.

All Blacks VS British & Irish Lions

Saw the New Zealand All Blacks take on the British & Irish Lions, a sort of all star team from the British Islands. The All Blacks dealt to them. This is a picture from the beginning of the 3rd test match with the All Blacks preforming the Haka. Its a traditional Maori challenge. Think its one of the greatest sports traditions I've ever seen. Gets the entire crowd fired up. All the red in the photo is the Lions supporters that travelled here from the UK to support the team. I've never been drunker.

Waikato Draught Tough Guy 2005

Just getting ready to start the challenge with the flatemates, Belinda (Kiwi) and Mike (Aussie). We were 'Tub Time, and had the best costumes there (although a team of guys wearing pink bikinis gave us some competion). The challenge was a 9.5 km race through mud, water, mud, obstacles, mud, paddocks and mud. By the way, Waikato Draught is the swill they collect from the drains at the decent breweries. Its a rough beer.

Waikato Draght Tough Guy 2005

Mid race. Mucking it up.

Tough Guy Challenge

Me and Mike at the end of the race.

Reeling In A Bluenose

I felt a lot bigger than 20 kgs. Its the bluenose a picture or two later.

South Pacific Sunrise

Photo of the sun rising off the North coast of New Zealand.

Bluenose

Bluenose caught just off coast of White Island near Whakatane in the Pacific. We were fishing at about 320 metres (1000 feet) depth for them.

Cricket Game - Napier, NZ

Went to a 1 day test between the New Zealand Black Caps and Australia. Australia won, and I relized that every single person who has ever accused baseball of being 'slow' has never been to a cricket game. The games usually last 5 days and the teams break for morning and afternoon tea.

Worlds Steepest Street - Dunedin

The World's Steepest Street in Dunedin, NZ. Bad place to play road hockey.

World's Steepest Street

Worlds Steepest Street

Queenstown

Town of Queenstown in the South Island. Adventure Capital of the World. Went for a kayak and white water raft, but no bungy.

Kayaking Queenstown

Visited Queenstown while in the South Island. Its the birthplace of bungey jumping and the self proclaimed 'adventure capital of the world.' Mountain range is called the Remarkables. Kayaked one morning while Susan and Katie went for a bungy jump.

Milford Sound Cruise

Went for a cruise out to the Southern Ocean. Saw some dolphins and seals. Some more of the waterfalls from the rainfall.

Kayaking Milford Sound

Kayaking through the Milford Sound in the South West corner of the South Island. It rained that day so had a lot of waterfalls to look at.

South Island

Susan, myself and Katie just outside of Dunedin at an abandoned railway town. Travelled through Dunedin, Milford, Queenstown and Mt Cook with Katie and Susan.

Taupo

Sunset Over Lake Taupo.

Togariro Crossing

View from the top. Looking at Mount Ngarahoe from the summit and down into The Valley.

Tongariro Crossing

Heading up towards the 'Devils Staircase.' Its a rise that takes to the summit of Mount Tongariro.