Mount Ruapehu
En route to Taupo, we drove thru the desert with spectacular views of the three volcanoes - Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. My fave is the beautiful cone-shaped Ngauruhoe, which was used as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Ruapehu was Mordor, i think.
Some of the smaller peaks of Ruapehu that were used as Mordor
It was a gorgeous drive (albeit slightly scary. we learnt to take speed limits seriously. 25kph MEANS 25kph!), winding through tight narrow roads before hitting a vast expanse of desert. At which point, we were joined by several military trucks marked with a huge "mortar" word behind each one. Bernard joked that we shud try to get further away from them cos it looks so dangerous. We overtook them, but time and again they reappeared... Being the playful n drama guy, bernard started weaving stories of how they are stalking us, and thou it may seem silly, he does make the long drives really entertaining. Anyway, we deduced that they were heading towards Waiouru, a military town.
After crossing the desert, we reached the south end of Lake Taupo, a breathtakingly scenic n peaceful lake that lies in a caldera created by a huge volcanic eruption eons ago. According to NZ tourism magazines, Lake Taupo is approximately the size of Singapore!
We dined alfresco by the lake as the sun set (when bernard abandoned me for a good part of an hour as he went to take photos of the sunset). He also spoke with an elderly couple who had moved to Taupo for their retirement. We decided that we'd also plan to retire in New Zealand. Although staying in a volcano crater sounds a little adventuresome to me... We even opened a NZD account.
I really really love New Zealand. There's so much natural beauty and wonder... so much i still want to see and do. But then, perhaps some part of this strong feeling is because of how bernard made me feel. Perhaps it is because i was there with him. Now, i'm not sure if i'll ever go back. because my memories of New Zealand and my whole experience is so inextricably linked to Bernard.
Btw, three things that we love n i can't find outside of NZ - Speight's ale, Allan Scott wine and hokey pokey ice cream - please tell me if you ever see them :)
5 comments:
I happened to chance upon your blog while viewing my friend's blog. I noticed you haven't been blogging lately as ur entries ended in Sept.
Anyways, i have never been in your situation before, having lost someone so dear to one.. but i do know of people who have lost their loved ones too and i've seen how and am still seeing how they're getting on pretty well with life.
I was really touched by what you shared and what i found amazing was your sharings of the times you've spent with God and how you related life to him.
I hope you'll continue to be able to draw strength from him and be able to move on in life(and if you've did, thats great!)
I wanted to share a few motivational videos with you but blogger wouldnt let me do so as they didnt allow me to upload files whilst commenting.
If you however still wish to see those videos, do let me know.
I wish you all the best with getting on in life!
Hi,
Thanks for your note... you can email me at gracecxy@singnet.com.sg
Ok i've sent the videos, hope you can receive them.
Hi grace,
I'm touched by your love for Bernard. Life is full of impermanance. Although both of you are together for slightly a year plus but the video clip appeared to me that both of you knew each other for a much more longer time.
The joys and laughter that both of you shared will be remembered forever. Bernard will be happy to know that deep down in yr heart, you love him so much.
I sincerely wish you all the best moving on with life.
Richard
hi grace,
this is rather random but in case you still hasn't found hokey pokey ice-cream, i do know that most New Zealand Natural ice-cream shops sell them. :)
hope the ice-cream can bring back some of the sweetest memories you have with your dearest..
Post a Comment