Day 4: Down the Waikato River and on to Wellington

I have no idea if this is the boat...but wow!
That's Huka Falls in the background.

You have to love a town that calls itself the "Capital of Cool!"

Where is it? Why Wellington, New Zealand of course.

I did not realize Wellington is windy nearly every day of the year. That explains why I kept seeing little wind icons on my Apple weather app for every, stinking, day prior to Katie leaving. 

According to the Wiki, the entrance to the harbor can be dangerous, especially since Cook Strait to the south is notoriously rough. Close to the harbor entrance lies Barrett Reef, its rocks breaking the water's surface at low tide. It was here in 1968 that the Union Company car and passenger ferry TEV Wahine grounded during a storm, with the loss of 53 lives.

That's some wind!

Before they get to Wellington, they will be on a jet boat on the Waikato River which is the longest river in New Zealand. I don't know if I found the right company, but this is the one I could find that takes people up the river to Huka Falls. It looks pretty exciting! 

Then, in People to People code for long bus ride, they will "continue their coach journey" through Tongariro National Park (along side of it - not really sure how to read that. Probably not a bad thing; I bet they are all still sleep deprived!

Established in 1887, Tongariro was the first national park in New Zealand and the fourth in the world. It is also a dual World Heritage area, a status which recognizes the park's important Maori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its outstanding volcanic features. Make sure to look at the link to the park below for a stunning photograph.

BREAKING: We did get a cryptic note from the kids' leader, Sheila McKell early this morning. I have no idea how she had service!

UPDATE: Photos from yesterday.

Frodo Baggins' house, Katie on the bus, the guy who's filming them all the time.

  

From the People to People Itinerary:

New Zealand’s center of government and the world’s southernmost capital city, Wellington, is situated on the hillsides of Wellington Harbour and nicknamed “Windy Wellington” as the city is windy almost every day of the year.

• Take a thrilling jet boat ride as you skim along the mighty Waikato River to the magnificent Huka Falls.
• Continue your coach journey through the central plateau of the North Island and pass the rugged volcanic terrain of the Tongariro National Park to Wellington.

Wellington Harbor - I think if you click this it will expand.