A couple of genuine Kiwis warmly welcome us to the beautiful Whakapapa Holiday Park.
Whakapapa is an alpine village within the Tongariro National Park, at the base of Mount Ruapehu and sitting 1200 meters above sea level. Good training!
A big thankyou for kindly hosting the Peace Run!
Friendly encouragement is received from these lovely ladies.
Ohakune Primary School are able to host us at very short notice and invite us back next time with open arms. They fondly recall the last time we came to their school two years ago.
The children are very enthusiastic.
Feeling oneness.
Thank you for becoming an integral part of the Peace Tree.
Friendship...
... and smiles as the torch is passed from hand to hand.
Then we run with the torch. The first lap is quiet...
...the second lap becomes a full on race!
Thank you Ohakune Primary!
No giant rabbit in sight... so we can continue our run to Mangaweka where we will stay for the night.
New Zealand is home to around 200 species of native ferns.
One of which is the national symbol, the Silver Fern or 'Ponga'.
A beautiful, misty day.
The scenery is truly stunning!
We end our day at Mangaweka, with its picturesque river bed carved into the clay of the surrounding hills.
Thank you kindly Julia for your exceptional hospitality and generosity at your stunning Awastone, Mangaweka riverside haven! Next time we will come for a rafting adventure for sure!