[Billhilly]

Had a great time in Taupo with friends from Canada/New Zealand.
Heading south was another stunning day with high cloud. There is a private ski field on the east slope of Mt Ruapehu. Now I have the appropriate vehicle it seemed to good an opportunity to miss. Who doesn't want to hoon around a volcano?!
The run from the highway on the very eastern side of the valley, up to the base of the ski hill is less than ten miles, but the drive/scenery is spectacular. Some real moonscape stuff.
First pic is just meters off the highway looking west.
Oh, yeah, apparently our biggest army base is in the neighborhood.....
Heading west
South side of Ngauruhoe
Sign said Danger something something, No Entry something something, Laser something something! Coool! Laser tag?!