The July Hot Date - Auckland, National Park.

Hey everyone!

The July hot date was supposed to be in Singapore, but due to unforeseen circumstances, it was never meant to be. But I did mentioned it in an earlier post what was the initial plans. So I shall not further mentioned on what happened.

But yes we had something already planned out a month before, so that shall compensate for it. (:

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Auckland, National Park

21st - 27th July 2011

Our very first snowboarding trip together. Just us two. ;)

I think it makes things even better that I kinda fell in love doing the things he love doing too. The very first time I tried snowboarding in September 2010 in Australia, Snowy Mountains Thredbo Mountains, I came back with lots of bruises too, swollen palms, knees, my butt ache a lot and full body aches. But I didn't give up and actually fell in love with boarding! (: I fell in love so much that I bought my own jacket, pants, boots, gloves and socks. All I need now is a board. :D

We flew up to Auckland on Thursday night, on a no food Jetstar flight for 10+hrs! It was an overnight flight. I was all prepared, bought myself a neck pillow and brought a blanket too. My sportsgirl bag was filled with all sorts of snacks and sweets. And thankfully they do provide water on the plane. So we filled up my 1L Nike bottle of water on the plane. We both rented the video on demand gadget, it was huge and heavy, and the movie selection is limited. You can't compare it with SIA for sure. But, the flight was pleasantly good. It was a relatively empty flight, I had a whole row to myself to sleep and you don't hear the stewards/stewardess walking up and down with their carts asking you fish or chicken, coffee or tea, etc etc etc. So it was peaceful. I managed to catch quite a bit of sleep on the flight.

By the time we arrived in Auckland it was morning, we were starving by then, so we settled the car rental and had our first meal after 10 hrs at Mackers. Our favorite ((: before our 4 hours + drive to the National Park.

Upon leaving the airport, you would be greeted with farms and more farms. Cows, sheeps and lambs. Soon that put me to sleep. Ooooopsss.... The "weida" boyfriend drove all the way to our accommodation, The Park Travelers Lodge right along the National Park.

So after 4+ hrs of driving, we finally arrived at our accommodation and we got instantly excited. The view from where we stood from the carpark, we could see the mountains. I couldn't wait for morning to come. :D

Day 1 of Snowboarding: Whakapapa Resort

Drive time: 10-15mins

Whole day pass: NZD$ 95 (Passes can be used at Turoa Resort too!)

The weather was relatively good that day. It wasn't so cold, it was sunny in the morning first , followed by a little rain in the afternoon. But visibility was not too bad.

Day 2 of Snowboarding: Turoa Resort

Drive time: 30-40 mins

The drive up was through a forested area and we were running on low petrol. Based on calculated road distance it should be sufficient, but as we went higher, the estimated amount of petrol left kept decreasing!

Visibility that day wasn't very good. It was pretty foggy, a little rainy, and there was a little snow! (:

Boarding in foggy conditions is scary, your visibility level drops by quite a bit, I'm not saying you can't see your fellow boarders or skiers, but you can't estimate the steepness of the slopes if there isn't anyone in front of you. I had to remove my goggles to get a better vision but it wasn't helping when it started to rain/snow a bit and the snow started to be like bullets shooting all over my face.

The terrain in Turoa was much challenging with steeper slopes initially but further going down it eases and it was much easier to start practicing doing my toe side boarding and turns. Having good snow is really important, especially if you don't want to get bruises all over your arms and legs.

We only boarded for half a day that day due to bad weather, the winds were getting stronger and it was definitely getting more foggy and not to mention colder!

Day 3 of Snowboarding: Whakapapa Resort

The past 3 days we have been sleeping relatively early and waking up at 7am every morning to check the weather before heading to the mountains. The weather on day 3 in the morning wasn't very favorable. It was reported to be very windy and cold. So we decided not to head to the mountains in the morning. So we headed back to bed.

I woke up at 10+ in the morning, and opened the door to check out the skies. The skies looked pretty clear and guess what! It was snowing a little! Right in the heart of my lodge! (: I may sound like a noob, but every one has their first time right? I was so excited, I started going "darling it's snowing!" and left the door open to freeze him *giggles*

I went out to check the weather at the counter, and it was good to go! I made him get out of bed and we headed to the resorts again! (:

And this time we had to put on snow chains!

Upon arrival at the resorts, the lift ticket seller warned us, saying it was -8deg today, and it would get even colder as we ascend upwards on the chairlifts, so if we felt that it was unbearable within 1 hr, we can get a full refund.

Boy it was freezing that afternoon. It probably felt like -20 with the wind!

By the time we were done boarding, it started snowing. ;) The drive back from the resort, it was snow storming too! It was a snowy night that night. (:

Day 4 of Snowboarding at Whakapapa Resort

First sight of our car and motel after a snow storm ....

Couldn't help it but drew a love sign on our car! :D

Our snowy covered car!

The Lodge.

Me in the car while the boyfriend was at work cleaning the windscreen. :D :D :D

On our way to the mountains.

He wanted to head to Turoa to board, but the roads were closed because of yesterday's snow storm so we could only head to whakapapa to board. But that day wasn't my day. Our boarding session ended early. But I am thankful to have such a wonderful bf and thank God for everything.

The view from above. Before everything happened....

So cold we had to be dressed just like him. All masked up and covered! :D

Will we lean onto each other for life?

Our new Burton pants. My new Burton boots, his DC Boots.

My very fail snowman. With an "S" inscribed on it.

The boyfriend up to mischief!

So we did a scenic drive up to Taupo and checked out some scenic points.

I love how you can see the snow capped mountains as you drive. (:

Tongariro River Middle Fishing Pools

Some of the "transformers truckies" we saw along our drive up to Taupo.

Horses gazing along the highway. I wanted to go down and take a pix together with them, but kai say they might kick me! haha!

If you turn right, the roads are closed. See what mother nature can do to the roads! Road closures.... And all those cars are waiting to see what is going to happen.

But we are turning left (:

One of the lakes where Lord of the Rings was being shot at. The place looks so much better than my picture! I need a DSLR. HEH!

You see that little dome on the left hand side of the pix, it's pretty cool, its surrounded by water, it's like an island on it's own!

And this is the highlight pix of the trip. I love the way he smiled in this pix (: So sweet.

I was sad to leave, sad that I didn't get to board enough and to master what I wanted to master. And even try jumps. But never mind I know there will be a next time.

December to Korea or Japan anyone?

I am so in loved with snow boarding.

Nothing is gonna stop me from getting my very first board, soon.

(:

Have a good national day holiday everyone!

Happy 46th Independence Day Singapore!

And take care Ele babe in Moscow!

See you soon!

xoxo

Steph