Travelling from Turangi to our next destination in New Plymouth, our hosts at Creel Lodge recommended taking the Forgotten World Highway - not exactly the fastest way to our destination, but easily the most interesting. In short the scenery is magnificent, although the alignment of the highway and its surface were difficult. Part of the road was unsealed gravel, and we encountered what must have been several hundred bends! Leave this road alone if you are prone to car-sickness!
On the other hand, the scenery amply made up for these difficulties as the pictures show.
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Yes, that's Ruapehu in the distance.
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Two-thirds of the way down the highway, we came to a remarkable place, Whangamomona. In the past the town had a population of c.3000, but that has dwindled to 300 even though the town is the only largish one for many tens of km. The cause is undoubtedly the place's remoteness and terrain unsuitable for intensive agriculture. But these difficulties inspired locals to take control in an unusual way. They declared independence from New Zealand and set up their own republic. As you can see,
they've just celebrated republic day. I also learned how to get myself on the electoral role for the next presidential election.
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Here's Bec sitting on what may be the republic's throne. And the republic earns badly needed income from stamping people's passports - including, please note, mine.
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The main building is the pub where we had a nice lunch and which doubles up as the passport office.
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The republic's boundary is clearly marked on the road out of town.
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And here we are travelling through some more great scenery.
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AS
On the other hand, the scenery amply made up for these difficulties as the pictures show.
Yes, that's Ruapehu in the distance.
Two-thirds of the way down the highway, we came to a remarkable place, Whangamomona. In the past the town had a population of c.3000, but that has dwindled to 300 even though the town is the only largish one for many tens of km. The cause is undoubtedly the place's remoteness and terrain unsuitable for intensive agriculture. But these difficulties inspired locals to take control in an unusual way. They declared independence from New Zealand and set up their own republic. As you can see,
they've just celebrated republic day. I also learned how to get myself on the electoral role for the next presidential election.
Here's Bec sitting on what may be the republic's throne. And the republic earns badly needed income from stamping people's passports - including, please note, mine.
The main building is the pub where we had a nice lunch and which doubles up as the passport office.
The republic's boundary is clearly marked on the road out of town.
And here we are travelling through some more great scenery.
AS
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