Day 1: Orlanda and Mella - on the road. Auckland to Chateau Tongariro

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Orlanda has cruised from LA to Auckland. She was cleared from customs and her registration as a NZ citizen was completed on Friday afternoon.
After introductions to her older sister it was time to hit the road.

We are on our way from Auckland to Queenstown.

 We ride through many km of lush Waikato dairy farmland.
 Mt Pirongia dominates the scene southwest of Hamilton.  Dick and I climbed this mountain in 1970.  This time we climbed the steps into the Pirongia Cafe and enjoyed an excellent lunch.
Mella takes the lead...

...and takes her turn as follower.

The landscape is spring green. Dairy yields are at their highest at this time of the year.


We ride out from Taumaranui and up on to the volcanic plateau.






First stop - Chateau Tongariro, Tongariro National Park

Location: Tongariro National Park, Manawatu-Wanganui 4691, New Zealand

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