Trip to the Hamilton Temple - February 9th to 11th

On Thursday, February 9th the Overton's and ourselves got to travel north to the Hamilton Temple (there since the mid 1950's) to spend a day on our names and then witness the temple sealing of a Wellington Couple.  It took some 8+ hours to make the trip north, but was well worth it.  Our intenerary took us on the blue path noted below to the Temple and then back home on the green path.  It was out of our mission so Elder Watson (one of the general authorites of the Church) had to approve the trip.  It was amazing to see some of the sites in the middle north island.

Below are some of the photos of the trip north to Hamilton

Ruapehu is one of the world's most active volcanoes and the largest active volcano in New Zealand. It is the highest point in the North Island and includes three major peaks: Tahurangi (2,797 m), Te Heuheu (2,755 m) and Paretetaitonga (2,751 m).  This photo comes from the internet to give you the feel of the area.  This is also New Zealands largest ski area!  Oh, the volcano has erupted in 1995, 2006, 2007 and given warnings as recent as last year. 

Northwest from the above mountain range you have Lake Taupo.  It's the largest lake on the north island offering a plethera of activities.  We choose to stop and have lunch on the way north.

 

 

Just on the outskits of Taupo is the beautiful Huka Falls created on the Waikato river that flows northwest out of Lake Taupo.



Above, in the trees are Cicadas.  They create a clicking nose that will drive you crazy.

Just some of the scenery on the way north!

We stopped at "Amigo's" for dinner...Fajitas...yum! yum!

The Waikato continues up through the middle of Hamilton.  Here's a girls rowing team doing some practice.

The land behind the temple belongs to the church and is full of cattle!

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple was built by "Service Missionaries" during the mid-1950's.  Along with the temple, there's a visitors center, housing for about 20 missionaries and housing for temple attendees.  Then adjacent to the temple is a huge "Church College" campus.  The College was used for thousands from about 1958 to 2008 and was closed somewhere in the last 5 years.  Below are pictures without comments for your viewing pleasure!

Our housing...for $25 per person per night, you can't beat it!



Then the ride back took about 6 hours.  We left about 11:30am after a session in the temple and arrived home about 6:00pm...not bad time!  You've got to just love this countryside!