Hamilton ➡️ Te Kuiti ➡️ Ohakune

We're in Ohakune! The children were amazing for the 3 hour drive here from Hamilton, and so was the husband, for getting us here safely.

We stopped over in Te Kuiti for lunch and to pay a visit to a very impressive sculpture:

Sir Colin Meads, All Black Legend. This was his hometown, and our friend Natalie created this sculpture to honour him. She took two months to sculpt this. Sir Colin lived to see it unveiled in 2017 before passing away two months later.

On his back, she'd inscribed the words, "Our Lady of Good Success, pray for New Zealand."

Feeding time at the zoo. 

At our first sight of snow-capped mountains, a collective cheer went up from the back seats.

Our big girl: This is EXTREMELY exciting!

Not to be outdone, our little man: This is BIG exciting!

It is exciting, indeed! 

Our Air BnB is situated on sprawling grounds and is very comfortable.

Tomorrow, we ascend Mt Ruapehu to play in snow! Weather conditions permitting.