Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Chateau Tongariro
We had a very nice BBQ with Pete, Cathy & Sam, and Dave & Ruth, then departed Napier next morning for the
Chateau. We have always wanted to stay there, and the summer room rates are not too bad. They upgraded us to a premium room with a mountain view, on the 2nd floor in the new wing opened in 2005. 
We checked out the Top of The Bruce, it was very cold and blowing, 
the chairlift had not been working for a week.
'Faith moves mountains', they say, so Julie tested it out. Not much movement there.
Stunning views to
Ngauruhoe and a 
huge chasm to the right of that spot.
A row of idle snow making machines had a carpark of their own.
At the Chateau,
the 1929 building design seems to frame the views. 
It has had a few tales to tell, being taken over by the NZ Govt as a mental hospital at one time, closed down at other times due to finances or eruptions. But it is thriving now and 
40 rooms have been added in the new wing.
The views from the lounge are stunning, we watched the sun set on Ngauruhoe next to a warm open fire and a beer in hand.
We noticed that our '88 Skyline was the only car in the carpark that didn't have cat's eyes headlights or a three letter number-plate.
Chateau. We have always wanted to stay there, and the summer room rates are not too bad. They upgraded us to a premium room with a mountain view, on the 2nd floor in the new wing opened in 2005. 
We checked out the Top of The Bruce, it was very cold and blowing, 
the chairlift had not been working for a week.
'Faith moves mountains', they say, so Julie tested it out. Not much movement there.Stunning views to
Ngauruhoe and a 
huge chasm to the right of that spot.
A row of idle snow making machines had a carpark of their own.At the Chateau,
the 1929 building design seems to frame the views. 
It has had a few tales to tell, being taken over by the NZ Govt as a mental hospital at one time, closed down at other times due to finances or eruptions. But it is thriving now and 
40 rooms have been added in the new wing.
The views from the lounge are stunning, we watched the sun set on Ngauruhoe next to a warm open fire and a beer in hand.
We noticed that our '88 Skyline was the only car in the carpark that didn't have cat's eyes headlights or a three letter number-plate.# posted by Doug @ 8:01 AM 
