Mt. Ruapehu*




* Mt. Ruapeho - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Ruapehu

If one wishes to travel between Wellington and Taupo in the North Island of New Zealand, one of the more scenic routes is via the Desert Road. Whether coming from or going to either of these two wonderful locations in the south-central part of New Zealand's North Island, the view is spectacular particularly in that part where a magnificent view of Mt. Ruapehu can be seen.

Viewed from thousands of miles above the earth, Mt. Ruapeho does not appear to be all that majestic. Photo below is courtesy of Google Earth.

Mt. Ruapehu from Satellite

But viewed from the ground, where most humans normally view mountains, Mt. Ruapehu is truly such a sight to behold as shown in the four photos below.
Mt. Ruapehu1a

Its snow-capped slopes glisten in the mid-day sun that seem to enhance it's brightness even more.
Mt. Ruapehu3a

Its sparkling beauty seems to refresh the weary traveler as he passes through a parched wind-swept dry land almost devoid of greenery and freshness.
Mt. Ruapehu2a

Be it the first or last look, the overwhelming front view or the fading image as one drives away, there's always that constant feeling of awe that urges every photographer to make that one shot, every artist to paint that canvass, or every poet to write the lines, of ultimate gratitude for having been given the chance to witness one of nature's most amazing beauty.
Mt. Ruapehu0a

These four images of Mt. Ruapeho were captured with a Canon Ixus Point and Shoot Digital camera (8.0 megapixels) on September 7, 2011 along Desert Road on the way to Wellington from Taupo, and was minimally post-processed with Picasa before being posted.

I hope you'll enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. Some people enjoy being "on" the mountain, but I prefer to view it from afar.

My parting thoughts: If I feel awed and humbled by the beauty of this mountain, how can I not feel humbled and awed by the power it's Creator.

Comments

  1. raul fragoSeptember 8, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    padi,
    magayunonon ang scenery. is it still active kasi garo siyang
    mabuoton paghilingon pero pagnaanggot bigla na lang matuga.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nona Enriquez-SchanowskiSeptember 8, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    ang ganda ganda naman!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tochie **September 9, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    Yes, Raul. It is an active volcano. It's latest eruption was some four years ago and it has been under tight watch since April this year (but the danger signs are not yet up to a level as to close the ski resorts located on its slopes). Arog baga talaga kayan an nature padi, it can be beautiful and calm one moment, violent and destructive the next.

    Kamo ngani diyan, garo dai ko ma-imagine na babagyohon/babahaon an eastcoast. Bako lang yan, nag-linog pa! I hope you guys are okay.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tochie **September 9, 2011 at 3:48 AM

    Thanks Nona. It's right here waiting for you :-) By the way, maraming ganyan na sights dito specially in the south island which has an alpine weather through out the year. 'Lina na kayo dito! Pasyal na!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anne Marie SantelicesSeptember 9, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    Awesome ! God's nature gift...just waiting for my bff to invite me there in NZ..

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tochie **September 9, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    Hi Anne. Yes, indeed, awesome's the word!

    Huwag ka na mag-hintay ng invitation. Just go and surprise your BFF. Filipinos here just love visits by kababayans. Pang-balanse nila sa madalas na gloomy weather.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Me AnnSeptember 9, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    nature at its best! i also wish to go to NZ for sightseeing...siguradong busog na busog na mata mo no, Chito!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tochie **September 10, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    Feast for the eyes, wika nga, MeAnn. Kung Nature or scenic views ang type mo, a trip to NZ should be on the top of your "must-see" list.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Faith & Gari kaintulogbyaheSeptember 12, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Pa-enzi-NZ ka na lang. Kami hanggang UK lang. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Tochie **September 12, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Eh, pareho ko din naman di nai-intindihan ang ingles nila! By the way, they pronounce the letter "Z" here as "zed." Ewan ko bakit. Baka para ma-iba lang :-). Arte!

    ReplyDelete

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