Rugby and Tongariro NP Day 1: Monday, 7/27

This morning we were welcomed into the New Zealand Sports Academy, where star athletes are trained to become future professional rugby and netball players. We learned rugby basics and had a ton of fun running around in the slightly muddy conditions. It was a great way to get to know each other further, and it's cool to think that some of the men we met may become All Blacks in just a few years!

After the rugby games we stopped a few places along our way to Tongariro National Park. The first of which was Waiotapu, where we saw the largest gurgles of geothermal activity yet in Rotorua. The pictures don't do it justice (I can show videos later), but imagine a gurgling sulfur/mud/water lake with water ranging from 60-80 degrees Celsius and steam reaching at least 100 degrees Celsius. And here's an attempt at a picture:

Next we took a pit stop at Huka Falls, a beautiful rushing river with a massive waterfall pummeling at ridiculous speed. I told Jen that I feel a little spoiled since I grew up visiting Niagara Falls - which has no comparison in size or power - but Huka Falls was a sight for sore eyes on this rainy day as well!

Finally, we passed Lake Taupo right before driving up to Tongariro. Lake Taupo was formed by volcanic eruption greater in strength than any nuclear weapon more than 26,000 years ago. It is 616 square kilometers, holding the title of New Zealand's largest lake! Pretty cool. After gawking a bit at Lake Taupo, we made our way to the series of active volcanoes found in Tongariro National Park, where we will call home for the next 2 nights. And when I say these volcanoes are active, I mean they could still erupt. Just 2 years ago, one of them erupted, letting off ash and rock (but no lava). Our hotel is built on the side of a volcano and is called the Skotel (ski hotel), but it's more akin to a lodge. We settled in and had a nice dinner together, and now me and Jen are getting ready for an early bedtime to prepare for a hiking day tomorrow. 

Xoxo