Walking in the Karangahake Gorge || Part 2

 : : Old mining tunnel : :
{Saw lots of these!}

: : So there's room to walk upright, but yeah . . . doesn't look particularly inviting! : :

: : This view is a whole lot better ;) : :

: : Uncle Paul + Aunty Yvonne with overhanging cliff : :

: : Woohoo, another swing bridge! : :

: : Not sure who these people are?! : :

: : The walkways look small in comparison to the huge cliffs! : :

: : Stairway leading up to the tunnels : :

At this point, the camera gave up altogether, declaring all the backup batteries were completely flat. {Grace -- this is when you send me some :P}

Dusk was well on its way when we finished walking and headed back to the vehicles. A stop was made at Paeroa for dinner, and then Grace and I attempted to hold a conversation between the erm, rather loud, noises coming from the back seat. lol

Walking in the Karangahake Gorge || Part 1

In April of this year, my Mum's youngest brother tied the knot, causing the first family reunion in about 19 years. My Uncle Richard and cousin Grace came from Aussie a couple weeks prior so we would have time to catch up aside from wedding bustle. The last (actually, only) time Grace and I have met was 10(!) years ago, when my family visited Aussie. Uncle Richard was in NZ only (haha) about eight years ago. So yeah, it had been a while but it was great to catch up again. {Miss ya Gracie, come back soon!!! :'( <3}

Easter Monday obliged us by appearing on the calendar only a couple of days after their arrival, so we all headed down to explore the Karangahake Gorge.

: : Checking the map + getting ready to walk : :
Lots of cousins. Plenty more missing too :P

: : Crossing the first swing bridge : :

: : Danielle : :

: : Loving all the ferns + tree ferns : :

: : Hey, look Kayger, a photo of me :P haha : :
{Thanks Aunty Yvonne!}

: : Uncle Paul + Aunty Yvonne : :