Crossing Volcanoes? all in a days work
Trip Start
Sep 18, 2006
1
52
55
Trip End
Ongoing
Wellington - Taupo - Auckland,
New Zealand
Monday, June 4, 2007
Myself and the other 2 amigos arrived in Wellington on the 29th May. Joining us, were Scots, Louise and Kath. We had a fairly chilled 1st night, but followed it with a day of culture, visiting Te Papa, the national museum. Fully intending to have another relaxed night we cooked ourselves a lovely pasta dish and started playing cards. However, all too easily (as always!), we were persuaded to mix the cards with a box of 'delicious' goon
All Blacks v France - the haka
. Inevitably our night then took us to the backpacker bar and later onto Shooters, a country n western style nightclub.I wont lie, the next morning was horrific getting back on the bus. To add insult to my already incessant hangover, we'd lost our favourite bus driver and had to settle for a half-wit named Steve. That afternoon, we arrived in Taupo once again. We'd talked about it since we left last time, the reason for our 2nd stopover was because we didn't have time during our last stay to undertake the Tongario Crossing. A beast of a hike at nearly 20km long...up a volcano!! We were picked up at 6.20am and after an hours drive we'd reached the starting point of Mangatepop car park. We were told "we'll pick you up 4pm at the other end, if you're not there, we'll call search and rescue". How kind! It sounded worth the early morning, judged to be within the top 5 walks in the world. In fairness a) whos walked the whole world? and b) who judges that?! If its Stevie Wonder, I'd have rather had the lie in!
Having completed it, I'd have to agree it was very impressive...but harder than anything we'd done previously. The first stage of the walk, was an incline called 'Devils staircase'. It near enough went vertically upwards. But walking directly through the clouds and the hurling winds was all worth it when we reached the summit
Contemplating life at Huka Falls
. Oh did I mention how cold it was. I'm not a weatherman but if I had to guess, it would have been well in the minuses when the wind was up! The mist was very fast moving and swirled around the top of Mt Doom. At our highest point we trekked the crater of a dormant volcano, which is due an eruption I'll add. Later on, we passed sulphur lakes in other craters, the view of these as we stood well above the clouds was breath-taking. As you can imagine an early night was much needed!The following day was slightly stressful, but the results were worth the effort. Although there wasn't a Kiwi Experience bus running, Myself, Jon and Al made our way up to Auckland. The reason for this: a rugby match. We'd managed to get our hands on tickets to watch the All Blacks thump the Frogs 42-11. This was actually my first ever rugby match and a thoroughly enjoyable one.
Monday 4th June was my last full day in New Zealand. Fittingly it turned out that it was all 3 of our last nights in Auckland, so for the last time :'( we cracked open a box of goon and disappointed our taste buds once more! On our way to the bar we dragged along 2 Canadian girls who'd just landed, bumped into a Swedish brother and sister act and 2 Dannish girls who had a fetish for Jon (much to his disgust!!) as we'd met going south. That was about it in the bar and there seemed to be a lot of solo stage dancing, but we had a good time none-the-less. I've absolutely loved this country and it was sad to leave. By far the most pretty of all the places I've visited, housing such diverse landscapes in relatively small islands. There was a great group of people I met along the way too, which always helps :)
