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Wednesday 21st January
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Hi everyone!
It's been a few days now since my last blogging session. I've driven down from The Bay of Islands, swapped cars at Auckland and called in for a couple of days at National Park Village. Great drive south of Auckland down the H3/H30 and H4 through an area of steep undulating green fields and forests, high passes and glorious views. "The country of ever changing horizons."
Arrived Tuesday night at Howards Lodge to be met by Grant the big half of the management team and the guy who the next day would drive the ten of us that were booked into do The Tongoriro Crossing, down to the startpoint. Morning broke to blue skies and a high pressure system guaranteed to hold for a few days at least, brill.
No bar at the lodge so down the road for the evening on Speights Golden and a fairly early head down for a 6:30 alarm.
Loaded up the bus at 8 o'clock. 6 of us from the hostel were joined by a bunch of Irish lads who's company i would enjoy over the next 8 hours or so.
Dropped off at 8:30, 19.6 kms and pick up again from the other side of the mountains at 16:30.
From the approach road there was no indication of the geology that we would be walking over. Within an hour we were up in lava fields, volcano rims and flooded craters. I had already seen pictures of the landscape but in amongst it was awsome.
I made good time and when there was the option af taking a 90 minmute detour to the summit of Mt Tongoriro i took it. Well worth the effort with great views. Lots of photos!!
More volcano ridges, the spectacular turquoise blue lakes. Suphorous fumeroles and hot springs. Finally a two hour walk down the other side of the range through bush of wild hebe, flax anf other floral and scented shrubs. The last kilometer through semi tropical forest with bubbling mountain stream made a great finale to the trip. Sure enough the bus arrived at spot on 16:30, all were present and correct so back to the lodge swapping tales along the way.
Must go now. Theres a G&T getting warm More later,,
It's been a few days now since my last blogging session. I've driven down from The Bay of Islands, swapped cars at Auckland and called in for a couple of days at National Park Village. Great drive south of Auckland down the H3/H30 and H4 through an area of steep undulating green fields and forests, high passes and glorious views. "The country of ever changing horizons."
Arrived Tuesday night at Howards Lodge to be met by Grant the big half of the management team and the guy who the next day would drive the ten of us that were booked into do The Tongoriro Crossing, down to the startpoint. Morning broke to blue skies and a high pressure system guaranteed to hold for a few days at least, brill.
No bar at the lodge so down the road for the evening on Speights Golden and a fairly early head down for a 6:30 alarm.
Loaded up the bus at 8 o'clock. 6 of us from the hostel were joined by a bunch of Irish lads who's company i would enjoy over the next 8 hours or so.
Dropped off at 8:30, 19.6 kms and pick up again from the other side of the mountains at 16:30.
From the approach road there was no indication of the geology that we would be walking over. Within an hour we were up in lava fields, volcano rims and flooded craters. I had already seen pictures of the landscape but in amongst it was awsome.
I made good time and when there was the option af taking a 90 minmute detour to the summit of Mt Tongoriro i took it. Well worth the effort with great views. Lots of photos!!
More volcano ridges, the spectacular turquoise blue lakes. Suphorous fumeroles and hot springs. Finally a two hour walk down the other side of the range through bush of wild hebe, flax anf other floral and scented shrubs. The last kilometer through semi tropical forest with bubbling mountain stream made a great finale to the trip. Sure enough the bus arrived at spot on 16:30, all were present and correct so back to the lodge swapping tales along the way.
Must go now. Theres a G&T getting warm More later,,
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Amanda Wasilewski
1:46 AM on January 24, 2009
Sounds wonderful! Fi and I (especially) would love the volcanic scenery - book us in for a weekend when you get home to look at all the photo's (will a weekend be long enough?)
If the G&T gets too warm I'd suggest another colder one! Have a great time,
A & all
xxx
If the G&T gets too warm I'd suggest another colder one! Have a great time,
A & all
xxx
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