On our last night (12/24) in Ohakune, we stumbled-into a tiny Italian restaurant in town that had only two other patrons; however, our Christmas Eve dinner was great! 
Afterwards we walked over to this tiny Anglican church (pix above) where we attended a 9:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service that included several aspects of Anglican liturgy, the singing of carols, holy communion, and a "sermon" that featured a skit with dialogue between Santa (traditionally attired) and a man in Palestinian garb who represented Jesus!Okahune -- with a population of less than 2000 -- appeared to be almost deserted on Christmas Eve. We loved the place -- with its ideal setting below Mt. Ruapehu --
but locals admitted that Kiwis like to come in the winter for skiing but have little desire to vacation in the summer in such a beautiful mountain environment.We left our delightful B&B in Ohakune at about 10:00 a.m. on Christmas morning and interrupted our drive to Rotorua with another 2-hour hike in the NP around a pretty little lake.
We had made Christmas dinner reservations at a very nice resort hotel in Rotorua while still in KL, so we climaxed the day with a 6:30 p.m. Christmas dinner that was really delicious! (We have 3 nights/2 full days in Rotorua so plan to take-in a Maori cultural event, see some geothermal phenomenon and end-up making a short drive to Peter Jackson's "Hobbiton"!)- rw
4 comments:
Merry Chrsitmas to you on the other side of the world! We are just home after a wonderful Christmas worship at NFC with the beautiful tall tree, lights, poinsettas and lots of friends. Even tho it is very different time there I know you have celebrated well.
Love, Marcile and Bob
Gorgeous. Is there backpacking to be had?
Yes, Mark, there's backpacking to be had. We saw many backpackers doing a 4-5 day circuit around the Tongariro NP mountains. But the really big thing is "The Tongariro Crossing" -- a one day 6-8 hour hike (one way) across the mountains. It's supposed to be the most famous trek in NZ. It requires drop-off and pick-up service.
(We didn't do it.)
oh, i'd like to do that hike.. i'm sure you can arrange to be my drop off and pick up service personally. :)
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