This brings back all the good souvenirs we have of our New Zealand trip.
I did the Tongariro crossing as well (but without the kids); this was in November (2009) and there was still some snow on the mountains which is apparently not the case when you were visiting now. This is what it looks like with snow: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=207618839297&set=a.207582349297.126664.779524297&theater

I was lucky with the weather as well, which is definitely not always the case (the day before I went it was too foggy and the crossing was closed).

Enjoy the rest of your trip. If you liked the North, you will surely enjoy South Island even more. Always prepared to share some information in case you still haven’t planned everything…

By the way, I tried the recipe of the Sacred Chocolat Mousse a couple of weeks ago. And although I was not 100% happy with the end result (because of the chef rather than the recipe…) the kids absolutely loved it !!!!

Any chance you will still pass through Singapore ?

Take care

Peter