Trip to Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa

We started journey at 3am on Friday 28th July 2006. Preparation started as early as Wednesday, with groceries at Pak n Save. Ummi started making sambal and fish cakes right after. I packed the bag with clothes for the kids. Need to have enough clothes in case kids get all wet from playing with snow. Cleaned the car. After the long preparations, finally the time has come to set out to Whakapapa. We made a stop at the Auckland city to join 2 other families, i.e. Zul/Aidora and Mohd/Afidah, to of our closest friends. It was 4.05am when we actually started the journey. Excitement was in the air, despite the early hours, kids were all awake, curious of what to come. The journey was smooth. We stopped at a Bp petrol station at Ngaruwahia, for Fajr prayers. By this time, kids are fast asleep. Journey continued as dawn broke in. We were presented with an entre of beautiful scene, breathtaking! Very soon afterward, the sun was shining strong. The weather forecast, promised a fine sunny day and the promise was kept. We reach the town of Turoa at 9ish am, the effect of lack of sleep has started to torment me, but I sheer excitement has managed to put it undercontrol. We started driving up the slope of Ruapehu, gradually showing here majestic peaks covered with satin white snow. Awesome, Subhanallah. A sight that no one can easily forget. We were showed to a parking lot, by the helpfull parking attendance. No ... we don't have to give them a single cent! Our capable group leader cum organiser, Zul, said that we have to leave our cars and take a bus to the top. The bus ride is free. Ashraf was all excited having to ride on the bus. Just a 5 minutes ride, bombarded with beautiful scenery all around, brought us to the activity area. The kids are all excited. Ashraf was continuously asking my permission to play with the snow as his friends were knocking themselves out with the snowball fight. I finally gave him a 'yes'. The place that we were at, was a ground station for the Turoa Ski Area.
Our 3 hours, flew by in a flash. We had great time playing in the little slope. We did not take the ski lift up to the top of Ruapehu, in fear of the children safety. Perhaps our next trip we would. Anyhow, Ashraf and Ummi, were having their time on the sled. Humaira was not enjoying as she was not in favour of the cold snow under her feet. So I had to piggy back her throughout. Danial obviously don't whats going on around him, but was enjoying his long nap thanks to the cool snow breeze. Around 3pm we headed back to parking lot we left our trusty old car. Had our long delayed lunch and drove down to the town of Torua for solah zuhr and asr. We waited a while for maghrib and prayer isya accumulated. The journey back wasn't as exciting. I had a terrible headache. We had to stop and I requested one of our undergrad brothers, who is travelling with us in 2 vans, to drive our car. Brother, Shafiq was kind enough to do the honour. We reached home at 12midnight, with the memories of Ruapehu engraved in our hearts.

more pix at http://photos.yahoo.com/airtehdeh