Here's Johnny!

Trip Start Sep 09, 2004

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Trip End Ongoing

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Flag of New Zealand Tongariro National Park, New Zealand
Saturday, November 27, 2004

If you've ever seen that scary disturbing film 'The Shining' starring Jack Nicholson who goes looney in that shit-scary hotel in the middle of nowhere, then you'll appreciate where I'm staying. It's a little alpine ski resort called 'Skotel' situated on the side of a mountain, the name of which I can't remember as I write this but interestingly enough, is actually 'Mt Doom' from the film Lord of the Rings. The view from the lodge looks over at Mt Ruapehu, which is actually the tall, conically shaped Mt Doom in the film, whereas the one we are staying on was used to film the close-up scenes on Mt Doom, so it's all kinda cool. Apart from 'The Shining' style corridors of Skotel. It's just like the Jack Nicholson film and every time I turn a corner I keep looking down expecting to see that kid trundling along on his little tractor, or opening the bedroom door and seeing those two white faced little girls standing there, staring up at me. It's really quite disturbing.

Anyway, this part of the country is stunning and our plans for today were to be very rewarding. The general idea being that we were supposed to arrive really early and have a go at what is rated as one of the best one day walks in the world - 'The Tongariro Crossing'. Unfortunately, the weather dictated otherwise. It's quite intense here in these parts and they don't take any chances. A sniff of extreme weather conditions and the crossing is off-limits, it's that simple. Quite understandably, a lot of people were disappointed, but in a way I was quietly relieved as I really don't think my foot would have held out for eight hours. Plus, their eight hours would have been my twelve as I'm walking more or less at half pace at the moment. I think I'd have just ended up pissing a lot of people off.

We're actually staying in Whakapapa village which is in the Tongariro National Park. As the crossing was off, some of us managed to embark on a few hikes. I took a short hobble around one of the lakes with Igno this morning which was quite pleasant albeit I was dragging my foot. A good walk or long journey is always a sure-fire way to get to know someone.

We arrived at 'The Shining Lodge' early this afternoon and quickly discovered that in our communal lounge, there was access to a DVD player which was operated by the reception staff. Five minutes later, we were watching Chris' skydive DVD while a pile of eight more sat on the reception counter, mine included. As well as seeing it again, I was looking forward to seeing Igno's as the interview at the end of his is particularly funny. To me anyway!

So for the rest of the day we pretty much chilled out. I managed to catch up with the Travelogue and make a few notes, as well as making a few plans for the Christmas and New Year period which I'll be talking about later. We'd already been shopping in Taupo yesterday for supplies and I had offered to cook tonight. We'd got a good price on some steak and I'd planned to rustle up a bit of Mexican - a few hot chunky burritos with jalapenos, sour cream and melted cheese all stuffed tightly in to a nice warm, soft tortilla with some fresh salad. Very appropriate for a cold night on Mount Doom in an even colder abode.

The Burritos turned out to be quite a success and it wasn't long before our three weebled bellies became sleepy heads. Well that was me done. I left the others watching some horror film and turned in.

For the record, apart from the Karioi Lodge at the Raglan Surf School, the beds here at Skotel are the most comfortable I have slept on in New Zealand so far. They make for a very pleasant, comforting reward after spending three whole minutes hobbling frantically along the dark corridors of terror, being chased by two little white faced twins and a small boy on a frighteningly fast plastic tractor. After slamming the door shut in panic, I could still hear his wheels squeaking outside. I'd won this time though as I think I was asleep the moment my head sank into the pillow. Sweet dreams tractor boy!